Gratitude

Unlocking the Power of Gratitude and Abundance: How Cultivating a Mindset of Appreciation Can Improve Your Spirit and Well-Being👉

1. “At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” — Albert Schweitzer Gratitude is a powerful emotion that can improve our mental wellbeing and outlook on life. It also has a profound impact on our spirit, changing how we view ourselves, the world, and the things in our lives. By acknowledging the abundance and appreciation that exists all around us, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, we open ourselves up to the possibility of experiencing love, light, and warmth in our lives. This shift can decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety as we move to a mindset of gratitude. 2. The theme of this week’s yoga class was cultivating gratitude through abundance. We aimed to shift our minds from scarcity and lack to focus on the good in our lives, no matter how big or small. An abundance mindset helps us connect with our spirit, seeing the infinite potential and possibilities that exist within ourselves and the world around us. We realize that we are not limited by our circumstances and that we have the power to create the life that we desire.

3. Cultivating gratitude and an abundance mindset helps to prepare us to stand strong and resilient through challenging times while also increasing positive emotions and satisfaction with our life. Finding the smallest inclination of thankfulness and hope holds us strong to our spiritual values and beliefs, leading to a deeper connection with the things in our life, enjoyment, contentment, and happiness. 4. This is easier said than done; it requires daily practice to build a habit of showing thanks for all that we have. It can be as simple as opening our eyes and thanking the universe for another day, or showing appreciation for our body as we step onto our mat. By cultivating a mindset of abundance, I have been able to recognize negative thought patterns and at times my pessimistic outlook on life. Through the simple act of writing down what I am grateful for, it has helped me battle life’s challenges and my mind. I am able to look back to see the good that my life has been and the good still in my life.

5. If you want to bring more gratitude and abundance into your daily routine, give these tips a shot: Notice: Take a moment to notice your thoughts throughout the day. Are they mostly negative or positive? What situations trigger negative thoughts? By becoming aware of our thoughts, we can start to shift our mindset towards gratitude or engaging in positive thoughts. 6. Pause: Now, reflect on what you have in your life that is not guaranteed or that brings you joy. This can be as simple as the sun shining, the sound of birds chirping, a compliment you received, your cup of coffee, or a few moments of silence.

7. Meditate: Mindfulness meditation is a great way to notice and let go of thoughts that do not serve us. Loving-kindness meditation can also be helpful in spreading love to ourselves and others. My journey towards self-healing began with practicing mindfulness meditation on the Headspace app. Although I no longer use the app due to a change in my financial situation, I am forever grateful for the practices it taught me! I am currently enjoying sound healing and mantra meditations, along with a weekly mindfulness meditation practice. 8. Gratitude Journal: Keeping a gratitude journal and writing down a few things you are grateful for each day can help you keep track of the good things in your life. It’s a practice that can have a big impact on your overall happiness. You can incorporate gratitude into your daily routine by keeping a dedicated gratitude journal or writing it in your planner. Personally, I do both. I particularly enjoy using the gratitude journal by Kurzgesagt, which not only provides guidance on how to introduce gratitude into your life, but also explains the science behind gratitude. I am not sponsored by this journal, and I do not receive anything if you use it. Recently, my husband and I both started using it and I find it to be a great way to learn about the logical and cognitive impact of gratitude. If you get it, let me know how you like it and use it :)

9. Start Your Day with Gratitude: Why not begin your day with a gratitude practice, such as writing down three things you are grateful for or saying a thank you prayer? This sets your intention for the day and can help you maintain a positive mindset. Intentions are a powerful and potent way to let the universe know what you need and the values that you hold deep inside. 10. Find the Positive: I know it can be tough, but try to look for the positive in difficult situations. Focusing on the good can help you cultivate an abundance mindset, and challenges can guide us to become the person that our spirit needs most. My mind tends to gravitate towards negative thinking, so I spend a lot of time reframing my thoughts and getting curious about why these thoughts come up. It’s important to approach negative thinking with curiosity rather than contempt and judgment. According to yogic philosophy, we are not our thoughts, but rather the essence observing these thoughts. There are numerous reasons why your mind might have a tendency towards negative thinking. This can stem from childhood experiences and years of reinforcing and validating these thoughts as a way of protecting yourself. This aspect of yourself is trying to protect you, so be patient and kind to yourself as you work through it.

11. Express Gratitude: Take a moment to express gratitude for the small things in life, like a warm cup of tea or a kind word from a friend. Showing appreciation for the little things can help you cultivate gratitude in your daily life and make every day just a little bit brighter. There are days where this can feel a bit forced, at least for me. However, staying consistent with your practices will help you stay aligned with the highest version of yourself and true to your path. 12. Cultivating a mindset of gratitude can be the first step towards improving your well-being, depending on who you are. In my own journey, I’ve discovering a variety of healing modalities and adjustments to my thought patterns helped keep me on my path. Remember that healing is a cyclical journey, with some seasons being better than others and times where regression can occur. Stay true to yourself and your path. 13. If you’re currently struggling, know that I send you my light and love. Stay strong and continue onward with your journey of healing. Open your heart and mind to the universe and don’t be afraid to ask for help; the universe will always provide what you need.