Gratitude for the beauty of feathers

30 Days of Gratitude

Here in the United States, we celebrate Thanksgiving each November. I have a challenge for you this November.

November Gratitude Challenge

For 30 days keep a gratitude journal. Every morning (or evening), write down three to five things you’re grateful for. They can be simple things, or big things — the key is that they’re different every day. Think: What surprised me today, what was fun, exciting, or laugh-out-loud funny? What made you feel good or proud or connected to someone else?

Go Deeper – Make Photos of What You Are Grateful For

If you want to add visual cues to your gratitude journal, make photos of the things you are grateful for. It can be an interesting challenge to figure out how to photograph something that made you feel happy or connected to someone else.

Benefits of Gratitude

The results of a study indicate that daily gratitude exercises result in higher reported levels of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, optimism, and energy. In addition, a 1995 study in the American Journal of Cardiology showed that appreciation and positive emotions are linked with positive changes in heart rate variability.

In my own life, adopting a gratitude practice along with a practice of seeing beauty every day has made me a happier and healthier person.

What are you grateful for today?

The photos in today’s post are my gratitude list for today.

May you walk in beauty.

Gratitude for the yoga class I am taking

Gratitude for my cat, Gracie

Gratitude for the help and creativity of everyone who helped create our fall retreat

Gratitude for sunlight streaming through the windows