Gratitude is a year-round practice
MEMBER COLUMN
by Anastacia Wayman
LW contributor
I am grateful for my life since I have survived three cancers. To reflect on being thankful and blessed, I take dedicated time to actively consider the positive aspects of my life, both big and small. I even verbally express gratitude for specific people and situations. This practice helps me actively appreciate the blessings I have and cultivates a mindset of thankfulness in my daily life. Here are my key practices that help me focus on being thankful and blessed.
• Keep a gratitude journal: Regularly write down things you are grateful for, focusing on specific details to deepen your appreciation.
• Mindful moments: Throughout the day, pause to acknowledge positive experiences, like a beautiful sunset or a kind of gesture from someone
• Reflect on challenges: During difficult times, consider where there might be silver linings or lessons learned that you can be thankful for. Take time to express appreciation to others and actively thank people verbally or through written notes for their support and presence in your life.
• Volunteer your time: Helping others can put your own blessings into prospective and foster a sense of gratitude.
• Practice mindfulness: Engage in meditation or deep breathing exercises to focus on the present moment and appreciate the good things around you.
• Create rituals: Establish a routine like a daily gratitude practice before bed or a weekly reflections time to consistently focus on thankfulness. Not everyone is born a grateful person. Gratitude is a choice during every stage of life.
Since I was a child, I have lived in a state of gratitude, much of which I learned from my mother. I grew up in an environment that society labeled as “poor;” however, the label was never a feeling or emotion felt in our home. My mother showered my brother, sister and myself with so much love and joy. I was loved, clothed, fed and happy.
Certainly, we experienced tough times, such as coming home to no electricity. Even in that situation, we made do with what we had and were grateful for it. We said “thank you” to the divine source for providing resources and one another, and when the lights went on the next day, we said “thank you” again with the same level of praise.
By society’s standards, we were labeled poor, but within, I felt rich. This where many people fall short; they look at what is not there instead of what is. As an adult, I sit back and count my blessings every single day. Blessings are all around, and with all circumstances, the choice lies within each of us to see. Even in times of pain, loss or destruction, there are still things to be grateful for if you have eyes to see them. The coolest thing about gratitude is that it’s always there; it’s within you. The attitude of gratitude shouldn’t limited to only expressing it around the holidays. A true attitude of gratitude is experienced daily through our thoughts, belief and actions.
It is important for me to be grateful for my life because it enhances well-being, strengthens relationships and shifts focus from negative to positive aspects of life, which improves emotional and psychological health.
Gratitude makes you humble and gentle. Gratitude helps you to let go of your ego, which is the main stumbling block in one’s life.
Living a life of gratitude is essential because it can make you feel happier and more content. By focusing on what you’re thankful for, you’re training your brain to spot the good in life. This helps you feel more positive, reduces stress and makes challenges more manageable. In spite of my cancers, I am joyful and love spending time with other positive people.
Wishing everyone a blessed and thankful Thanksgiving.
