Be Grateful this Christmas
Its such a busy time of year during the Christmas season for most people, and although we all have our worries and stresses leading up to the big day its important to remember to be grateful. Appreciate the little things by being pleasant and thankful. The practice of gratitude is the taking time to notice and reflect on the things we are thankful for. Some people aren’t hardwired to be grateful making it a skill worth practicing in our daily lives. The art of saying Thank you sounds simple enough, right?
Here is a list of things we should be grateful for this season, and this list can be adhered to every other day of the year in fact.
Our Family
Family is such an obscure word these days. The normalcy of family is unknown as families extend, blend and take in those unrelated by blood. Where would you be without your family? Maybe, defining family as a group of close people who you can count on to benefit from their love, kindness and generosity sounds clichéd but it’s true and encompasses more than immediate family. The amazing thing about family is no matter what they still love you anyway, so don’t be slack to express your gratitude to them at Christmas time and every other day. When was the last time you said Thank you for the help, love and advice you were given?
2. Friendships
Realizing how much your friends are there for you is something that seems to go unnoticed. Your friends put up with a lot from you and they always stand by your side. Say Thank you for the fact that they have stood by you through thick and thin and have always replied to your text messages, selfies and snap chats in a timely manner.
3. Peaceful Home
Take a moment to understand how blessed you are to live where you live, to be able to go home every day after work or school. Many people around the world are less fortunate, living in areas of destruction, chaos and poverty. Be thankful for what you have.
4. Laughter and Happiness
There is no greater gift than a smile. You never know who needs a smile, a kind word or a gesture to brighten their day, by being grateful for your own lot in life, you can extend it to the old man walking down the street or the elderly lady struggling with her trolley. Be thankful for the happiness you can make other people feel and share around you.
5.Gaia and Ra
Knowing that the sun will always rise and the earth is ours to live on is something to be thankful for. Our expectations as a community can sometimes ebb to a feeling of overwhelm, however by appreciating the beauty and sustenance given to us through Ra and Gaia we can grow spiritually. Although you may not like broccoli or carrots, remember that the earth has nourished us and given us food to keep us strong and healthy (among many other things). Be grateful for the loving earth and the shining sun.
Before you open your mouth today delve deeper into what blessings you can be grateful for. I guarantee once you start being thankful the positivity and inner happiness you will receive will be addictive. The things you overlook repeatedly every single day may be a good starting place. Show someone (or many people) you appreciate them this Christmas and learn to extend that feeling throughout the year.