genuine gratitude
The word gratitude is tossed around a lot these days. But experiencing genuine gratitude is a different thing than just saying “I’m grateful”, or posting #grateful (although I will admit I have definitely used this hashtag before!)
Gratitude is having an appreciation for all that you have in this moment. When gratitude arises, we begin to experience life differently; we begin to come more deeply into the present moment and experience joy for life, joy for all that we have, and joy because we begin to see how truly wealthy our life is. The practice of daily gratitude wakes us up spiritually and consciously, and gratitude really is the key to more abundance.
how gratitude changed me
When I was about 12, my mom gave me a gratitude journal. Every night I would write 5 things I was grateful for. Some days it would be for amazing things that had happened, liked getting an A on a test, or being gifted that sweater from The Gap I had been wanting for months! But other times it was the simple things, like the sound of rain on the roof, the warmth of the sunshine I felt on my face. And I have to tell you, this daily practice changed my life.
After a couple weeks of writing in my gratitude journal, I remember looking outside one day and seeing things as if for the first time. I remember thinking how beautifully green the grass and trees were after the rain. I remember a feeling of appreciation for my life, where I lived and for my family.
These seemingly small shifts in perception were HUGE in the way if effected my life. It ushered in what I always refer to as my “spiritual awakening”. Not long after I started practicing yoga, meditation and learning about the philosophy of yoga. I did a deep dive on everything I could learn about the cosmos, spirituality, magic and the mysteries of life.
Maybe I would have come to investigate these arenas of consciousness and life in my own time, but I really do believe that the practice of gratitude spurred on my “awakening”. I was no longer walking around with my eyes closed. I was consciously awake and ready to experience and learn everything life had to offer.
A Culture of Wanting More
We unfortunately live in a culture of consumption where we are constantly put in a state of want and needing more. This leads to a scarcity mindset where we feel we don’t have enough, and we become unsatisfied with what we do have. Sadly many people fall deep into debt as the addiction grows of wanting more and buying more.
The amazing news is there’s a very simple solution to over consumption and feeling unsatisfied with our life. As we begin to turn our gaze inward and feel appreciation for all the things we do have in our life, there is a shift in mindset and a shift in the heart towards gratitude for each every thing we already have, which in themselves are little blessings filling our life.
When you start to look at all things things in your life that are positive, all the little things that support you, and all the large things we take for granted, you will begin to see how truly wealthy you are. You will start to feel waves of abundance running through you because you have so much! Even if it’s just a little! And truth is the real secret of attracting wealth, love, prosperity and abundance is through the practice of gratitude.
Gratitude Rituals
These 2 practices are so simple to adopt into your morning and evening routine. I can guarantee if you stick with these two morning and evening rituals for a least 2 weeks you will start to feel a change within your heart and mind, and the way your perceive life.
Morning Gratitude Ritual
This will take you only a couple of minutes- you can do it in your bed before you get up, while you wait for coffee or tea to be ready, standing at the mirror in your bathroom- as long as you have some space and quiet. In this practice you really want to feel the gratitude.
Close your eyes and turn your attention towards your heart centre.
As you inhale imagine you are inhaling directly into your heart. As you exhale imagine you are breathing directly out from your heart.
Continue breathing in and out from your heart, smoothly and evenly.
As the final part of the equation, pick one thing you are grateful for. Start to feel this genuine gratitude flow through you. REALLY feel it.
Spend a few minutes breathing consciously, connecting to the heart, and letting gratitude course through you.
This practice will create coherence for the mind and heart, and adding on the feeling of true gratitude will have you approach your day with appreciation and peace.
Nighttime Gratitude Ritual
Dedicate a journal as your Gratitude Journal. Keep this beside your bed with a pen.
Every night before you go to bed, write 5 things you are grateful for that day.
That’s all! This is such a simple practice, but a powerful one! After a week or two you will start to notice a shift in how you perceive life as you begin to appreciate all the little things, and a true sense of joy will begin to fill you from the inside.
Give it a try and I would LOVE to hear from you! Comment below, email or even DM on Instagram. I read and reply to every message! I am so grateful for you for following along, and I wish you massive abundance and love!