Thanksgiving Meditation

Thanksgiving is traditionally time for giving thanks for the people we have in our lives, the things we have been able to achieve, and the wonders of life in general. It is also statistically one of the most stressful times in the year for most people. In light of that this month's Meditation of the Month is the Gratitude Meditation. Practicing this meditation will help you bring the Holiday of Turkey, Stuffing, Family Gatherings, and Stressful Shopping back to the real meaning of the Holiday. Thankfulness and Gratitude! So lets begin...

Start by going to your quiet space to meditate and get comfortable. Remember we do this with all our exercises! Now take a couple of deep breaths and close your eyes.

Start by asking yourself this question:

          What was your strongest experience of gratitude today?

Only you know this answer and there is no right or wrong answer. Once you have the answer spend some time with that feeling and thought. Think about how you felt, think about how the thing or person you are grateful for made you feel that way. What other emotions where you feeling before, during and after the event of gratitude?

After you have spent a bit of time with the above ask yourself the next question:

         How did you express your gratitude?

Did you express your gratitude? This is something we tend to forget about as a society these days. Did you tell someone that you were grateful for what they did or said? Did you express gratitude for the tangible thing you acquired? Perhaps you didn't realize that you needed to express it? If you didn't express your gratitude spend some time thinking of how you can express your gratitude. I mean really spend some time on this one. 

Finally, now that you have thought about what you are grateful for and how to express that gratitude move out of the meditation and resolve to express that gratitude. This can be as simple as a Thank You, or as complex as returning the favor to someone. Either way resolve to express gratitude daily!

  Practicing this meditation on a regular basis, not only during the holiday season but through out the rest of the year will allow you to see the better side of life and not be as stressed. So allow yourself to be grateful and show it! You never know it could just make the world a better place!