Thanksgiving’s coming up. Some people call it Turkey Day, I know I do at times. It signifies the great food and fun of the day. But the day wouldn’t be so much fun and filled with so much love if it weren’t for the the “Thanksgiving” part of the day. Thanksgiving is about giving thanks, literally, about being grateful, about feeling gratitude.
If you’ve heard about the power of gratitude, then you’ve probably spent some time checking in on everything you have in your life that fits that title. You probably already know everything you’re grateful for and don’t keep that feeling of gratitude isolated to one day per year. If you haven’t, keep reading. I mean, really, its a great feeling to acknowledge everything I have in my life, to really take a good look and revel in all the glorious people I have surrounding me. Yes, I have some great things, too, and I’m grateful for those as well. But I’m really totally geeked about the people.
Right in line with that is the dreams I’ve been able to bring into reality in the past year. I’m grateful I’ve had the people in my life to support me and that I’ve had the heart to go after my dreams.
Looking at my life with gratitude has helped change my view of the world. When I’m feeling grateful for something, I don’t have room to complain or whine. Think about it. If you’re sitting in your living room or you’re at work and you’re thinking how grateful you are to have a roof over your head or a job you can work, you’re probably not going to be complaining about something at the same time. It makes sense to me.
But, maybe you have a really bad habit of complaining and you’re having a hard time NOT complaining. So here’s an exercise for you: Take the next seven days and STOP COMPLAINING! Yep, that’s it. That’s the whole exercise. T Harv Eker suggests you slice your neck with your finger (no, don’t use a knife, silly :)), because when you’re complaining you’re actually cutting your own throat and not allowing the good to come into your life.
The first time I did this exercise I was really surprised by just how much I complained. I complained out loud and I complained in my head and some of my complaints were camouflaged, hiding as observations. It was a very eye-opening experience. I’ve done the exercise more than once because, let’s face it, its very easy to fall back into that blame and complain game. When you’re focusing on being grateful, though, you’ll notice that thoughts of blame and complain begin to get less and less.
Here’s another exercise, this one focused on gratitude: Sit comfortably with your eyes closed. Let your breathing even out and get steady. Let your body relax. If you’re alive, you have reasons to be grateful, take this time to really feel that deep level of gratitude that comes from your heart. Give your gratitude to your body – whatever state its in; to your work – whether your love it or not; to your family – yes, all of your family because YOU are who you are because they are whoe they are; your loved ones; give gratitude for your material possessions – whatever they may be; give gratitude for everything you can think of. Let yourself fill up with the full heart expanding feeling of gratitude. Oftentimes, it goes hand in hand with love. Let yourself really feel the gratitude you have and you’ll be feeling the love right along with it.
This is a time for gratitude and thanksgiving. Give yourself a chance to experience the deep levels of gratitude available to you. You’ll be amazed at how wonderful you feel.
