“The deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated.” – William James
The effect of gratitude on the body
Gratitude. So simple yet so powerful. I am grateful for each and every one of you who is reading this. Thoughts shared and words written hardly make a difference without someone to receive them. By reading my newsletter, you’re allowing me to be me. So thank you. Really, thank you!
I am a firm believer that gratitude is the fertilizer for our thoughts and dreams, which are the seeds we plant in the garden of our mind. In the presence of a grateful person, we immediately feel safe, content and nourished by his or her positive energy. In fact, I even believe that being grateful enhances and amplifies our sensory perception. Saying a small prayer of gratitude before a meal may make your food taste better!
Joan Borysenko, a Harvard trained medical scientist, psychologist and expert in the mind-body connection, has shown the biochemical effect of gratitude on the body, which includes positive changes in our neuropeptides, immune system and cardiovascular system.
Another scientist, Dr. Masauro Emoto, showed that the most beautiful water crystals developed in response to the energies of love and gratitude.
Grateful Mind Training Tool
1. Make a decision to become grateful. Yup, it’s a choice. Simple!
2. Keep a gratitude journal. If you have trouble starting, begin by focusing on the small things. Maybe it’s your dog or cat. Or a special friend. Even jotting down a few good moments from the day add up and help to re-train your focus.
3. Refuse to complain! Complaining has the opposite effect of being grateful (in focus, mood and physiology). When you notice a complaint brewing, take a deep breath, refocus your thoughts and pull out your journal.
4. Smile! It’s another simple yet powerful exercise that easily shifts you into your head space.
5. Create a Sensory Anchor. In my healing practice, I have developed sensory tools such as Brainwave Synchronizing Music and Aromatherapy Inhalers to help my clients subconsciously associate various sensory input with positive suggestions. I call it Sensory Anchoring. The Sensory Anchoring website will be launched in December, but you get a preview since you are part of my tribe!
Sensory Anchoring uses our senses to help train our minds through paving and reinforcing positive neural connections and pathways. Mindfully employing our senses directly links us to our subconscious mind and thus our memory. Also, when we are present and mindful, the potency of the “NOW” gets activated.
I tend toward aroma and music for the most part, but I also use visual and kinesthetic anchors, which are also extremely effective. Below is the talisman that I wear everyday. My talisman reminds me of people i love dearly and each charm has deep meaning. The heart that i am holding is my gratitude anchor. I rub it between my thumb and forefinger as a reminder to be compassionate and grateful. I immediately move into my heart and feel peaceful when i do this. You can get a compassion and love infused anchor just like mine here. Whether you have a special charm or even a shell or pebble, consider keeping an anchor in your pocket to remind you of what you are committed to in moments you forget.
Photo : April Norris
Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!