Generating feelings of gratitude for just 15 seconds several times throughout each day helps to build the pathways in our brains that make us happier,
Calmer,
And more optimistic.
Like building muscle,
Each time we do this practice we strengthen those pathways more and more.
Here's a quick way to get your gratitude juices flowing.
You can use this practice to become more aware of what gratitude feels like for you and then draw upon that feeling as you go about your day.
Closing your eyes and taking a deep slow breath in and letting it out with a sigh.
Now bring to mind something or someone that brings you instant gratitude.
This can be absolutely anything.
The summer sun,
A favorite smell,
A treasured spot in nature.
For me,
It's my beautiful loving cat,
The gentle way he looks at me,
His deep purr when he rests on my lap.
Whatever it is for you,
Bring it into high detail now.
See it clearly in front of you.
Recall the feel of it,
The smell of it,
Maybe even the way it sounds,
And then let that feeling of love and gratitude fill you up.
Let everything else fall away just for this moment.
There's nothing here right now except you and this beloved person or pet or place or thing.
Let your gratitude radiate through your whole body.
Let it fill your heart space with light and warmth.
Holding this feeling for just a few more seconds and then letting go of the visual and allowing just the feeling to remain.
Feeling the love,
Feeling the gratitude,
Deep breath in,
Slow breath out.
And as we prepare to end this practice,
I invite you to imagine tucking this feeling tenderly within your heart and know that whenever you need a gratitude boost,
It's always there,
Just waiting for you.
