The fall season has arrived and with it, the cooler temperatures and activating wind breezes that envelope us. For me, the cooler weather in the evenings and mornings are a welcoming change as the season transitions from summer to fall. We are so blessed to be surrounded by nature, an abundance of trees and to watch the leaves begin their seasonal colour changing performance. When I see the colour bursts of yellow, orange, and red amongst the evergreens, it makes my heart happy. It reminds me of the moments my parents took me out hiking as a child. Together, we would breathe in the fresh, crisp air and admire the vibrant colours of the leaves. In my dreamy child-like state, I would refer to them as bouquets of flowers held by the mountains. In my adult age, I still see them in the same whimsical light.
With the Thanksgiving holiday, I look forward to the family dinners and reunions with friends. October also happens to be my birthday month. This means that as an introvert with many long time friends, I get to see my all friends all month long for quality time and celebration moments. Because if you don’t see me for my birthday, when will you make time to see me? This quality time together fills my cup and fills my heart with lots of love and good energy. I am oozing and overflowing with gratitude in the month of October.
Did you know that gratitude can rewire the brain? As the world increasingly becomes centered on the individual, a collectively grateful view can change a lot in how we experience the world. They say that what we pay attention to grows, whether positive or negative, so why not focus on what is beautiful and positive in our lives? After all, life can be short. When we remove ourselves from the chaos of the daily grind for just a moment, we might be able to appreciate and smell the roses all around us in a different way.
During October, along with the month of December and Christmas time, I have no issues with practicing gratitude. But I must admit that I am not as anchored in my gratitude practice when it comes to the other months of the year. If you are looking to incorporate a gratitude ritual or practice, here are some simple ways to incorporate more gratitude in our lives:
1. Using a gratitude journal, write down 3 things that you are grateful for in the morning or evening before bed.
2. Say a sincere thank you in person to the local business owners that provide services to you and your family.
3. Take time to write a thank you card to someone who has inspired you or helped you in your life.
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