Giving Thanks – The Art of Gratitude

This post on the Art of Gratitude is an important reminder that practicing gratitude really is a spiritual discipline. Encouraging happy, loving, thoughts raises our vibrations and helps us project light and love into the world. And of course, what we give to the Universe, the Universe gives to us.

The post is written by one of our mentors, Jeff Walker. Jeff reminds us that if you want to achieve great things in your life, the Discipline of Gratitude is one of the key life-skills you need to master. So in this Holiday Season, let us take this opportunity to remember all the things we have to be grateful for–starting, of course, with our yoga practice. 🙂

Jeff Walker: The Discipline of Gratitude

This is something I do my best to practice every day… but of course I’m not perfect (by ANY stretch of the imagination.)But I’ve noticed a direct correlation between the amount of GRATITUDE I have during the day and how those days go for me.I’ve also noticed that the more gratitude I have in my life, and the more I hang out with other people with lots of gratitude in their lives… well, the better and more graceful my life is.And the more I’m grateful, the better I get at it.

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So yes, I’m grateful. Very grateful.And that’s important – because I’ve learned that being grateful is one of the most critical life skills you can have.

I call it the “Discipline of Gratitude”…

Now I know that’s a lousy name, because it sounds like a lot of work. But stick with me, because it’s actually really simple and easy… and all the benefits are pretty much automatic.

It’s just a matter of consciously taking time on a regular basis to acknowledge everything you have to be grateful for.

And trust me, we all have LOTS to be grateful for.

Please humor me on this… just take a few minutes right now, and reflect on FIVE things that you’re grateful for. If you want to be an overachiever (and feel even better), then think of ten things that you’re grateful for.

Now this is even more powerful if you actually speak those things out loud instead of just thinking about them. And it’s even better if you write them down.

Go ahead… do it right now. I’ll still be here when you get back.

When you’re ready, scroll down.

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So how did that feel? Do you feel happier? Lighter? More alive?

This really is a wonderful exercise to do each morning when you wake, or at night when you go to bed.

But here’s the magic part – when you exercise the Discipline of Gratitude you will not only be happier… but you’re going to start to achieve more in your life.

Now I know this is starting to sound really “out there” and “woo woo” – in fact, I almost deleted this entire note because I know a lot of people won’t think this has anything to do with business and marketing.

But trust me, this is powerful stuff. I have experienced it over and over in my life.

It comes down to this: you can go through your life with a chip on your shoulder, looking to blame other people and wondering why things aren’t coming easier to you… or you can go through your life feeling grateful for all you have.

It’s your choice.

But I’ve been around a LOT of super-successful people, and they pretty much all fall on that “gratitude” side of things.

Bottom line – if you want to achieve great things in your life (and great success), then the Discipline of Gratitude is one of the key life-skills you need to master.

The good news is that it’s also one of the easiest. And you’ll be a lot happier for it. 

Have a happy and loving Holiday Season.

You can view the full post here.