The real gift of gratitude is that the more grateful you are, the more present you become.
- Robert Holden
This time of year, as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday here in the U.S. I always like to focus my attention and blog around the topic of gratitude. Because, after all, that's really what this season is about. It's about being thankful for all that we have.
Gratitude has become a daily practice of mine over the last 6 years. It is something that I started out by doing as a guided practice, but not it has become a part of me and my daily thoughts that I use it throughout my day without even thinking.
Gratitude is a practice where we express thankfulness and appreciation for what we have. Yes, it is a spontaneous feeling that we get when something good happens to us, but it is something that we can also control and practice in our lives to create the good feelings whenever we want.
Research shows that gratitude has the affect of creating more happiness, improves relationships, heals, relieves stress, and shields us from negative feelings.