Guest Author - Andrea Gardiner, Ph.D.

So Thanksgiving is upon us! As the time rolls around you’ll probably be thinking about that huge turkey you will cook, eat, or both. Don’t you just love the potential for disaster that seems to skyrocket at this time of the year? For instance, there are the relatives you were maybe trying to avoid that just might pop up, or your very opinionated mother-in-law may show up early to “help” you cook. It really is a wonderful almost nostalgic time of the year, isn’t it? However, with all that will be stacked on your plate, literally and otherwise, try to remember to squeeze in some reflective time with the intention of experiencing gratitude. Despite what you may have been told about gratitude, it is still one of the most self-serving things you can do!

A philosophy of gratitude is one of the most widely practiced values that span the gamut from religion to spirituality. Central to any theme of gratitude is the thankfulness that one offers for the valued gifts received throughout life. There is no limit to the list that one can make for gratitude, in fact the more the merrier. The attitude of gratitude does not hold many requirements at all. You do not necessarily need to offer your thanks to a particular deity or being. All you need is a willing, reflective spirit that is eager to look over your life and selectively see all the good that has been encountered. It is a time when you lie down, sit down, or stand up (of course it doesn’t matter what position you’re in) and you make it your point of duty to rest your mind’s focus on the aspects of your life that you are feeling absolutely great about.

Yes I know when you think of gratitude the words “self-less” and “altruistic” might come to mind, but this is really a practice that flows such light and love through your being. When you place your consciousness on what is right in your life you automatically enter a state of gratitude. Like a domino effect, you remove resistance from your mind, body, and spirit and become connected. What do you become connected to? Well that depends on your philosophy and beliefs about life. You may feel closer to your God, Lord, Creator, Provider, or Self. The fact of the matter is you will feel good. Now if experiencing joy and happiness, even for a few crazy moments during the Thanksgiving, isn’t a wonderful selfish treat then I don’t know what is!