Our Attitude of Gratitude

Recently I was asked: “With all the material comforts they have, why are wealthy women still unhappy?”

That’s a loaded question.

Happiness is a very Merry topic that I love studying. We have lots of empirical information on the subject. However, in a nutshell, for me, happiness is inextricably linked to the Attitude of Gratitude.

Just like yoga, Gratitude is a practice.

In this Thanksgiving season, gratitude is very much on our minds and in our hearts. At our family’s festive table, we go around saying what we are grateful for. For the rest of the year? We still practice. Every day is Thanksgiving Day. I practice by myself. With my Beloved. With my family. With friends, acquaintances. And, together in class with members of our yoga community, like you.

We are always being told to be grateful. Just repeating this admonition risks sounding trite. But…HOW do I put this in my body? What actions do we take, simply, precisely and concretely? Saying grace before a meal, thanking that someone opening a door for us, looking the wait-staff in the eye as we utter “thank you.” Mum knitting me a scarf. Thank you. Dad hugging me “good morning.” Thank you. Jesse taking out the trash. Thank you. Our family cat inviting me to play. Thank you.

 I make it into a game.

The List Game: set a timer for 5 minutes, and list without thinking what I’m grateful for, and count their number.

The List Game, Variation: with a timer, list all the positive things a spouse, child, parent, a co-worker did.

The Circle Game: starting from my outer circle and travel to my inner circle of the people in my life, and name one positive action each person did. Next time I play, go the other way, from local to global.

The Deep Appreciation: on a beautiful card, name one action a beloved took recently that impacted you positively. Describe how your heart and soul were touched. Address and seal the envelope, and give it. Then ask the recipient to read it out loud.

After such a workout, I feel surrounded by goodness.

I feel rich.

I’m so happy!

Thank you for reading. Thank you for being part of our yoga community.

Happy Thanksgiving!