Giving Thanks

October brings about the beautiful colours of fall - leaves gracefully shedding from trees, changing colour from orange to yellow and red. It is quite a lovely sight. Although I quite dislike the weather getting colder, there is something special, touching, and lovely about the autumn season. 



October - at least in Canada - hosts Thanksgiving Day. Traditionally, people get together and eat turkey and gravy, stuffing and pie, etc. But what is thanksgiving really about?

You may or may not be familiar with the Pilgrim history. I'm not getting into that here. Instead, let's take a moment to reflect about the important of gratitude in our lives. It is easy to go about our days and not stop to be mindful of our blessings. Consider how busy your day is - from getting up in the morning, going to work or school, interacting with dozens of people, taking care of yourself and others, etc...there is A LOT happening in one day! 



An 'attitude of gratitude' is important to have. It fosters resilience and patience, clarity and peace. There are many strategies you can use to practice gratitude. While one tool for some may be keeping a gratitude journal, others may prefer saying a prayer of thanks each night. Regardless of how you practice gratitude, make sure you do! The benefits of being grateful include improved mental and physical heath, better relationships, increased resilience, and more. Here is an easy read to help you see why you need to integrate more gratitude in your life: gratitude benefits in various life areas, 

Some ideas to integrate gratitude in your life include: (see here for more ideas) 



1) A credit list/journal
2) Gratitude apps
3) A thanksgiving prayer routine
4) A gratitude challenge
5) Naming 10 things you are grateful for each morning

....and more!

Whatever you choose, you will reap the benefits of being thankful. Noticing how much we have to be thankful for helps to arm us against the challenges of life. 

Remember: 



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