Courageous Gratitude

The practice of gratitude has many benefits to our overall well-being. Studies now show that our relationships, our mental and physical health, and our life satisfaction are all boosted as we incorporate this practice into our daily lives. Gratitude helps us to be grounded in the present moment, in what is true here and now. Sure, it won’t erase the challenges, but it can help us to be resilient in them as we see that the challenges are not the only part of our lives.

It takes courage to stand rooted in the present and to look for the goodness that is with us now. The smile of a stranger, the hug of a loved one, a warm home, and food on the table—the simplest things can be a perfect place to start. Gratitude may feel like work at first, but the more you practice it, the more you will build that muscle and create new neural pathways that make it feel easier over time!

Start a journal. Call it your Gratitude Journal and list in it a few things you are grateful for every day.