November is a month of focused gratitude for all God has blessed us with. When life is difficult, gratitude can be hard. But if you can allow yourself to see past the pain and recognize something you are grateful for, it is lifegiving!
When we practice gratitude, dopamine is released into our body. Dopamine is a happy hormone that works to make us healthier both physically and mentally! When we choose to be grateful, we gain a sense of control even in very difficult situations. Ann Voscamp said, “Thanks, is the highest form of thought and gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”
In scripture,Proverbs 23:7 says “As a man thinks in the heart, so is he.”In science, the observer effect describes how the act of observing changes the thing being measured.
It appears that both physically and spiritually, our focus in life has some creative ability. When we focus on what is good and true and lovely, we are creating beauty in our world! Becoming aware and focusing our attention (faith) has creative properties!
Philippians 4:8 TLB “Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about.”
Ways to reinforce gratitude:
- Keep a journal. List at least one thing every day you are thankful for.
- End the day saying thank you to God for one thing.
- Write a letter to someone who has touched your life.
- Notice your tendency to compare that result in dissatisfaction. Practice being thankful for what you do have and not what you don’t have.
I invite you to join me this month in practicing gratitude. Keep a list and let me know what you’re grateful for. Our yoga practices this month and next will be lighter and a bit gentler as we lean into the year end and become more reflective about the past year and the coming new year.