Create Your New Normal
We've been given a gift. A gift for a "do-over." An opportunity to create a "new normal." What will yours look like?
My gratitude practice has changed my life as much as my yoga and meditation practice - gratitude is that powerful. Practicing gratitude needs onlya few minutes a day and it can be done anywhere. No special clothes or props needed. A gratitude journal is nice, but not necessary.
I began practicing gratitude when I divorced my husband 10 years ago. I was struggling with an overwhelming sense of loss and feeling like I had failed. I was losing my life as I knew it - losing my home, my sense of safety and stability, and my husband (who I couldn't stand at the time - but still). A friend encouraged me to write down what I was grateful for - it was all the small things I had in my life, but took for granted, that got me through the difficult times. Taking a moment each day to state – privately or publicly – what you’re grateful for has proven scientific benefits to the mind, body and spirit.
At Retreat in the Pines gratitude is part of everything we do – from each yoga practice to Sunday morning's outdoor Gratitude Meditation on our deck surrounded by trees to our closing Gratitude Brunch (guests take turns sharing what they're grateful for). Discover gratitude as part of our retreat community.
Gratitude turns what you have into enough.
There’s no right or wrong way to start a gratitude practice, but in the spirit of the season, the best time to start is now! Be kind to yourself as you begin the process; it might not happen every day, but over time you may find it’s part of your morning or evening routine. Whether you journal first thing in the morning to give you perspective on your day or to help you wind down in the evening, know that you’ll be rewarded with benefits that feed your mind, body and spirit.
A gratitude practice really does turn what you have into enough. With a gratitude practice you’ll notice a definite shift. In your perspective, in your relationships and in your life.
This blog is intended to provide helpful suggestions for self care and overall well-being. I am not a mental health professional. If you’re struggling I encourage you to seek the help of a professional. Find a Mental Health Professional | National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988