12 creative ways you can practice gratitude

12 creative ways you can practice gratitude

When it comes to practicing gratitude, there are many creative forms. Here are some suggestions, collected from browsing the webiverse, that you might like to try. Why practice gratitude? UCLA Health reports that a review of 70 studies that include responses from more...
Gratitude in dark times

Gratitude in dark times

There are no limits on gratitude. It’s easy to appreciate it when things go our way. Even when they don’t, if we look deeply, we can see the good. There is always something for which to be grateful. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 in the Christian Bible says, “Rejoice always,...
Be open-eyed and present to the richness

Be open-eyed and present to the richness

Recently, I heard Susan Piver talk about the miracle of being alive. “There is an inherent quality of richness in everything,” she said. It’s a good reminder, especially during this month when I am contemplating the kind promise “I will appreciate my blessings.” From...
a grateful lovingkindness meditation

a grateful lovingkindness meditation

Every day, I do a variation of Buddhist lovingkindness meditation. The blessing I use is:May you be safe.May you be strong.May you live with joy.May you be peaceful and at ease. Traditional instructions are to say, think and imagine those blessings on yourself,...
Gratitude in difficult times

Gratitude in difficult times

This month, I am considering the kind promise “I will appreciate blessings.” Sometimes life seems dark and it’s hard to feel grateful. This includes the chaos that follows diagnosis of a serious health challenge and living with it afterward. The...
Saying grace (for the first time in 40 years)

Saying grace (for the first time in 40 years)

At the end of last year, I set an intention to return to “saying grace” before I eat. When I was a child, my parents taught me of prayer to say at mealtime. Each night, before supper, my father would ask one of the diners “would you please say...