CHOICES Magazine

As summer slips to fall I am thrilled to remember all the moments this year filled with kindness. In light of all the 2020 blunders, people seemed a little nicer in 2021.

Developing thankfulness is a personal journey. We don’t all have the same capacity to see all the happenings in our lives as events to be thankful for.

I’m very grateful for where I am in life today. Yet, on the other hand, how well do I express appreciation to all those I’m thankful to have in my life and to the Universe for their part in it?

What is the greatest “thank you” you have ever received? When has someone taken time to acknowledge something that matters to you? I suspect you remember it vividly and it still feels good to think about it.

His Holiness, the Dalai Lama says, “All human beings have an innate desire to overcome suffering, to find happiness. Training the mind to think differently, through meditation, is one important way to avoid suffering and be happy.”

Take a moment and write down something you are grateful for. Then share it with others and ask them for their answers. I bet you’ll have some meaningful conversations.

What do you do on a daily basis with living a full life in mind? If you’re struggling to think of anything, that’s okay, you’re not alone. Here’s the thing – you aren’t going to enjoy every minute of every day, bad things will happen – whether it’s a car accident, a fall, illness, financial struggles or the loss of a loved one.

Times have changed, and we may not have the things we used to have. We may sometimes feel frustrated, tired, and alone. But we can always find something to be thankful for. We are never alone. We are surrounded by love.

A pale cream hue caressed the jagged rocks of the quarry. First dawn, when pitch darkness turns to light, a time of awakening, a time to watch the shadows melt.

Change the strategy of any negativity and say, “Thank you.” Our negative emotions can hide our ability to see clearly. Yet, how much grief would we save ourselves if we immediately said the words, “Thank you?” Arguments would be squelched in a nanosecond—you wouldn’t even have to prove you were right!

Being indecisive in life can be a hindrance. An inability to make decisions leads to missed opportunities and possible failure in our goals. Decisions are, of course, not always easy, and certainly should not be rushed when important.

Gratitude is a spontaneous feeling that we experience when something has been done for us. It is also suggested that embracing gratitude can be a good practice for mental health. This is a positive emotion that not only feels good inwardly but sends positive energy outward.

In a world filled with unrest, negativity, hatred and division, there’s still so much to be thankful for. It would be so easy to get caught up in all the mayhem, but I refuse to.

Gratitude is a state of thankfulness, and is not a new concept. Ancient texts and scriptures highlight the importance of this uniquely human emotion to contribute to the richness of our communities, families, and inner well-being.

I am thankful for every time someone said NO. Because that made me find another way, another solution, another group, another team, another relationship.

What does hope reveal? Are you thankful that hope exists? Does it fill you with excitement, freedom or joy? Do you remember being thankful for hoping your peers, family members or friends become amazing, well-balanced or healthy people?

With the busy lives most of us live today, we have very little time for true self-expression.