Sometimes we should express our gratitude for the small and simple things like the scent of the rain, the taste of our favorite food, or the sound of a loved one’s voice.

Joseph B. Wirthlin

Continuing this month’s focus on the importance of practicing gratitude in our lives, we return to the definition offered in February 2018.

grat·i·tude
noun
the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

As suggested in this definition, it begins with each of us. So, the focus of this Blog is consideration of how we nurture gratitude in ourselves. In other words, what are our daily practices that create the intention and the space for appreciation in our lives?

How are we mindful of the “small and simple” things that are present each day? Our world is fast paced and ever moving. Often we find that we are spending the majority of our time thinking about and planning for the future. How do we pause and enjoy the present?

Just yesterday, I learned something new about neuroscience and the brain. We have two operating networks in the brain. One is called the task positive network, and simply defined; it’s the “doing” part of our brain. The other network is the default mode network which is the dreaming, visioning, reflective, pondering network of our brain. They work somewhat like a teeter-totter to the degree that when one is lit in the brain the other is not. It certainly explains why when we have been consistently task oriented, we feel the need to take a break, or when we have been on a very long break (vacation) we find we are eager to get back to work.

So it seems gratitude would emanate from the default mode network when we are still, calm, and quiet . . . when we pause to consider what we are grateful for. How are you regularly practicing this? Here are some ideas to get you started.

• Keep a Gratitude Journal – note daily 1-3 things for which you are grateful.
• Practice daily affirmations of gratitude – Choose a time of the day to say aloud what you are appreciating. “Today I am thankful for ______________.”
• Be it! – the essence of gratitude. Be present. Sit in the gratitude.
• Your practice of gratitude:
• Your practice of gratitude: