Finding Abundance In Gratitude: My Thanksgiving Reflection

As Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself reflecting on what gratitude truly means in our lives. Often, we overlook the foundational elements of our gratitude, the very base of what I like to call the "gratitude pyramid." It's a concept I've been pondering a lot lately, especially as we prepare to celebrate one of my favorite holidays.

Even on our worst days, like when we might wake up to a troubling health diagnosis, there's an inherent gratitude in being alive. We're here, breathing and capable of facing these challenges head-on, surrounded by people we love. This realization isn't just comforting; it's empowering.

Consider those frustrating days at work, where things don't go as planned. We often find ourselves caught up in the stress and disappointment. But stepping back, I see the bigger picture: we have jobs, and with every challenge, we're presented with an opportunity to learn and grow. It's about shifting our focus from what's going wrong to what's going right.

I've spent a significant part of my life focusing on the negatives, the challenges, and the struggles. But what I've learned, and what I urge you to consider this Thanksgiving, is the power of abundant gratitude. It's not just about being thankful; it's about recognizing the sheer volume of things we have to be thankful for.

Here's a practice I've found incredibly rewarding: Write down 100 things you're grateful for. It might sound daunting, but it's a transformative experience. Don't overlook the small joys.

Each day, I meditate, think of three things I'm grateful for, and three things I'm looking forward to – never repeating the same ones. It's a practice that continually opens my eyes to the simplest yet most abundant blessings in life.

This Thanksgiving, I invite you to join me in this practice of expansive gratitude. Let's not just list the things we're thankful for; let's live in constant appreciation of them. It's a journey, an ever-unfolding gift we give ourselves and those around us. So, as we gather around the table this year, let's embrace the fullness of gratitude and enrich our lives with the abundance it brings.