It only takes a moment

By Karen Frye

Every day, take time to be grateful for the good things in your life as if this is a prescription for your well-being. Make it a daily routine — before you get out of bed each morning is a good time to start. Or sit outside for a few minutes and go over the things in your life that you appreciate. If I don’t have the time before I leave in the morning, I’ll practice while driving to work. Find what works best for you, and make it a daily event.

Be grateful for what you have — family, friends, pets, good health, a beautiful day, the flowers in the spring, the opportunities awaiting us each day, all the little things that we often don’t think much about.

It does not matter how much strife you have in your life. The stress, the challenges that may seem unbearable are all the more reason to adopt this daily practice. After a few weeks, it’ll be like brushing your teeth: You don’t even think about it, you just do it. You will need to be patient in the process, but when the outcome appears you will be pleased.

Focusing our thoughts on gratitude daily, and giving thanks for what’s happening in our lives can bring personal growth that can transform times of worry and strife to experiences that bring happiness and love. Gratitude can boost mental and physical health, improve sleep, and create a better sense of well-being. Staying positive even improves heart health and immune function.

When you focus on what’s good in your life, rather than dwelling on everything that is not, you become more open to receive greater goodness in the future. A good idea is to start a gratitude journal. Each day write 10 things that you are grateful for in that moment. This will help you stay aware of the blessings in your life, and more good will come to you.

Open your heart to love daily, even when life challenges you. Whatever the situation, find something to appreciate about the experience. Practicing thoughts of gratitude can shift the outcome of your day and ultimately your life.

Don’t wait until Thanksgiving to begin being thankful. It takes only a few minutes a day. Start right now, and in a few weeks you will begin to realize how wonderful your life is.  PS

Karen Frye is the owner and founder of Natures Own and teaches yoga at the Bikram Yoga Studio.

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