World Gratitude Day – Got a quote to share?

Celebrating Gratitudes in the company of children and Ma Nature…

My sister sent me a text advising that September 21 was World Gratitude Day, in case I missed the memo. I did miss that memo but was delighted to read her wise words reminding me that gratitude is scientifically proven to boost the immune system, lower stress levels, improve sleep and build positive self-esteem.

It is fantastic to know that Gratitude is such an effective and essentially easy antidote to so many woes. Saying thank you or showing appreciation for the good things is in complete alignment with the wisdom of our elders, grandmothers, mystics and mentors, no matter what your religion, financial status, country of origin or stage in life. Gratitude can enhance everyone’s personal levels of satisfaction, purpose and meaningful living.

For my specific case – Gratitude is evolving into a thought exercise that connects me to the things that are important in my own little world as well as what is important in the big pond beyond me. Stay tuned – the first draft of my deep dive into the gray matter of my life is due September 30. Drums rolling and let’s see how it goes!

Instead of staying home writing, I am almost happy to report that on World Gratitude Day, I was away from my desk, celebrating two family birthdays and the engagement announcements of two young couples on World Gratitude Day. We didn’t even realize our perfect alignment with the theme of the day.

How did we celebrate? We played in the forest with fairies, sprites, gnomes, parents and enthusiastic four year old leaders. We hiked slowly along one of the most scenically rewarding trails in Banff National Park after sharing late morning lattes on a viewpoint above Johnston Canyon. Waterfalls, canyons, the boundless curiousity of of children, walking in the fall colours and enjoying a morning coffee with family – ahhh.  

This isn’t a competition or invitation to feel left out. In fact, Gratitude is a way to help you celebrate your own life’s sweetness and feel happier with what you have – not pine for what you don’t have. Right here, right now – take your own World Gratitude Day moment to stop, pay attention and savour something special. Better yet – grab a pen and make a list of 3 – 5 things that bring you joy and continue the practice for all of October.

Gratitude is good for our immune systems, it’s good for friendships and helps us to forge wonder-ful connections. By taking time to think about ‘what’s going right’, instead of ‘what’s going wrong’, I can guarantee that your Grat muscles will feel a positive shiver and get a boost of energy.

Quoting Dr. Rick Hanson, Gratitude researcher and leading scholar in the positive psychology movement: “Far from being a warm fuzzy sentiment, gratitude is morally and intellectually demanding.”

Quoting blogger Courtney Carver: “Gratitude makes the hard stuff bearable and the good stuff even sweeter.”

Got a quote or a gratitude to share? Feel free to share it simply, proudly, loudly and profoundly.