Gratitude
Life is the sacred mystery, singing to itself, dancing to its drum, telling tales, improvising, playing… enjoying each other's existence. 💕
This photo was taken after spending a day at Al Noor School for the Blind in Muscat, Oman.
I witnessed students celebrate life and show how gratitude lifts up their lives every day. Through the up-tempo beat of their drum, their perfect harmony and rhythmic choreography, and the joy beaming from their face, we are all reminded how living life fully, no matter the circumstance, is possible. Music and dance, joy and gratitude are at the center of their soul and in spite all odds, these students have overcome their adversities with grace.
This moment in time is burned in my memory and is a powerful reminder to live a life full of gratitude.
The seemingly simple act of living ones life in gratitude can be immensely powerful. I love to start each day by taking a moment to reflect on everything and everyone I am grateful for in my life. I highly recommend you give it a try! You can jot down or meditate on three to five things you are grateful for and it can be as simple as feeling grateful for the beautiful sky, the air you breathe, or perhaps it’s all the cells in your body that keep you healthy and strong, your home, or even your favorite coffee. You may also want to make it a habit to reach out to someone and tell them you are grateful for them in your life.
Gratitude changes our minds – literally. Recent neuroscience research suggests that gratitude unlocks greater happiness, lowers anxiety and stress levels, and brings better health by targeting the central nervous system. Best of all, completing simple gratitude exercises creates long-lasting effects not only for the person practicing gratitude, but for their partners, spouses and loved ones.
You can even add some gratitude mantras into your mornings if you wish.
Here are a few to get your creative juices flowing.
Thank you for all the cells in my body that keep me healthy and strong.
Thank you for opening my heart fully to give and receive love.
Thank you for my family and community who embrace me with love.
Thank you for giving me the ability to articulate my thoughts and feelings clearly and effectively.
Thank you for grounding me in light and love.
Thank you for my youthful energy and timeless appearance.
Thank you for giving me a mind that’s sane, sound and logical.
Thank you for giving me a body that follows my command.
Thank you for the abundance that surrounds me.
Thank you for patience and understanding when communicating difficult thoughts.
May we be reminded by these students from Al Noor School for the Blind that by living a life in gratitude, we can enjoy the sacred mystery of life, full of singing and dancing to ones own beat of their drum.
