The Grounding Power of Gratitude

• Self-Care
• Awakened Living

Our mental time-travel away from the present moment is one of our primary dilemmas: Oftentimes, it’s much easier to focus on what might be happening, on what’s not happening, or on what has already happened than on what’s currently happening. Ultimately, it benefits us physiologically, energetically, emotionally, and spiritually to train our minds to return to what is happening right here, right now—and the meditative anchor of gratitude can ground us effortlessly back into reality.

Here are some ways you might practice gratitude:

• Notice. In any given moment, look around you. Offer yourself this blessing: I am grateful for ____. Fill in the blank.
• Write. At the end of a day, write down three things that occurred that day for which you are grateful.
• Share. Share your gratitude with another—in person, over the phone, or via email. Notice the power that a positive connection can offer.
• Commit. Give yourself the gift of gratitude for two weeks, selecting a specific time of day at which to practice.

As you practice, notice any shifts inside you. Try utilizing this filter of gratitude as a mindful experiment for a few days. See if the practice is something that can rest comfortably in your toolkit of healthy living skills—it’s a good one.

Find out about the Month of Compassion at Kripalu.

© Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health. All rights reserved. To request permission to reprint, please e-mail editor@kripalu.org.