In a yoga class a few years ago, my teacher read some verses about the power of gratitude. They were timely words for me, because just that week, I’d started a simple gratitude journal. It’s something I hadn’t really done before, not because I’m ungrateful, but because I was always distracted with other things.
Several days before that yoga class, the seventh in a ten-day series of emails about stress management arrived in my inbox. It suggested that gratitude was one way to manage stress.
Fast forward to a recent post I saw in a yoga-related Facebook group. The post was about the habits of happy people. One of these habits, of course, was practicing gratitude.
Gratitude Never Gets Old
No matter how many times I hear about the power of gratitude, it never gets old. Gratitude is without doubt one of the most important practices we’ll ever do. And yes, it’s a practice!
I know I have a lot to be thankful for, even though it often seems like there is so much room for improvement. You may feel the same way. Too often, the extent of my focus on gratitude is simply to acknowledge there are good things in my life, and I “should” pay more attention to them. Maybe it’s the same for you.
Back when I started that gratitude journal, I was surprised at how quickly I learned about the true power of gratitude. It only took a few days of writing one or two sentences. If you make a commitment to focusing on something you are grateful for every day, you may be surprised to see just how many blessings you have.
No, I am not exaggerating.
You’ve probably heard this idea of keeping a gratitude journal. Maybe you do it. But if you haven’t gotten around to it yet, now may be the time.
The Power of Gratitude Revealed
Poet Melody Beattie, whose words my yoga teacher read that morning a few years back, are magical. Read them, and see if you agree. There’s an excerpt below, but I highly recommend the entire poem. Better yet, read the entire book!
As I listened to my yoga teacher read these words, I felt their truth. The power of gratitude power to turn lack into plenty is real, even while there are things I’d like to have, improve, or change.
“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. Denial becomes acceptance, chaos becomes order, confusion gives way to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.” ~Melody Beattie
You Have So Much More
Where do you feel lack? Are you hungry? Gratitude can turn a meal into a feast. Are you lonely? Gratitude can turn a stranger into a friend. Feel like a screw-up? Be thankful because your mistakes may be important.
If there is anything missing for you right now, I invite you to read Melody’s words again. Try reading them slowly in a still, quiet place. Let them sink in and work their magic.
Thank you, Melody Beattie. And thank you, yoga teacher Michele for reading this in class and reminding me to be grateful once again!
Would you like to explore more yoga topics in depth—perhaps with a group of yoga friends? Get your copy of Yoga Circles, A Guide to Creating Community off the Mat. You’ll find lots of topics and activities for living the yoga lifestyle and enjoying time with like-minded yogis! Click here to order!
Hi, I’m Maria. I created Yoga Circles for you if you want to delve more deeply into the philosophy, practice, and life-changing effects of yoga. I’m also a writer and editor who helps small business owners, wellness professionals, teachers, and authors publish books, develop marketing strategies, and connect with readers, clients, and students. Visit my website (link below) for more about that. I’d love to hear from you!
Thank you very much for this post. I had seen and very much enjoyed that quote by Melody Beattie before but did not know anything at all about the author.
I agree that gratitude journaling helps a lot. I still do some of it myself but mostly I focus now on our daily gratitude blog as I wanted a vehicle where others might read what we are grateful for and perhaps have it strike a chord with them regarding something similar in their own lives.
Thank you, Doreen. I appreciate your comment! It’s a wonderful idea to share what you’re grateful for to inspire others, especially when it’s the simple things that bring you joy. I think we all have more reasons to be thankful than we usually recognize.