I just finished my regular morning yoga class, which reminded me once again of gratitude's profound power. Gratitude has become my daily practice. I have journalled what I'm grateful for every day for years. My well loved journal asks this simple but transformative question daily - What am I grateful for today?
Today, my yoga instructor shared that gratitude creates one of the highest vibrations we can embody. During class, we replayed moments of gratitude in our minds like a rolling film of joy, not just focusing on one moment, but many.
What made this practice powerful was how it connected me to the sensory experience of those grateful moments:
A colourful sunrise over the beach
The exhilarating flow of riding a wave
The anticipation of flying somewhere new
Birds chirping in the morning
Flowers scenting the local park
Laughter with people I love
Gliding underwater while mermaiding, observing marine life
The burst of flavour from a favourite meal
Warm sunshine on my skin
These memories felt real again. The greatest moments of gratitude, I realise now, are often the simplest.
Like many people, I tend to complicate life. When I strip everything back, I see that micro-moments truly connect me to life and remind me what is real.
The Science Behind Gratitude: Meet Your Brain's Filter
Gratitude creates real magic, and science backs this up. It's not just a spiritual concept.
Our brains contain a powerful tool called the Reticular Activating System (RAS). This filter determines what we notice in the world. When we focus on something specific, our RAS helps us see more of it.
Have you noticed how everything seems worse when you're in a bad mood? Or when you want a particular car, you always see it around.
That's your RAS at work, filtering your experience to match your current focus.
Try this quick experiment:
Look around your space and find all the red objects you can see.
Now, without looking again, recall everything that was yellow.
You probably remember more red than yellow objects because your RAS filtered for them.
Now imagine this: when you intentionally focus on gratitude daily, your brain starts seeking more things to be grateful for. You naturally cultivate a higher vibration. Not by ignoring difficulties, but by giving equal or greater weight to the good.
Find More Moments of Gratitude
Gratitude looks different for everyone. Here is a sneak peak how I incorporate gratitude into my days:
Morning check-in: While sipping my morning cuppa, I reflect on something I'm grateful for.
Evening journalling: My journal prompts me to end each day with gratitude, as part of my wind-down routine with classical music and candlelight.
Stepping outside: Fresh air and sunshine on my face become gratitude check-ins.
Difficult days: When struggling, I focus on simple pleasures: a warm cup of spearmint and chamomile tea, an early night, or simply allowing myself to feel my emotions.
Gratitude isn't about constant positivity. It balances joy and challenge, allowing moments of appreciation to navigate the ups and down of life.
Five Ways to Infuse Gratitude into Your Daily Life
Want easy ways to make gratitude a natural part of your routine? Try these:
Gratitude Walk: Take a stroll while mentally listing things you appreciate. This could be the breeze, the sky's colour, or a stranger's kindness in holding a door.
Gratitude Letter: Write a heartfelt note to someone who positively impacted your life. Even if you don't send it, writing shifts your energy.
Gratitude Jar: Keep a jar for small notes about things you're grateful for. On tough days, pull one out as a reminder.
Gratitude Reset: When stress arises, pause and find one thing in that moment to appreciate, no matter how small.
Gratitude Photo Challenge: Snap daily photos of things you're grateful for. Build a visual gratitude journal, from morning coffee to sunset views.
Try This Today: Gratitude Through the Senses
Inspired by today's yoga practice, try this:
Close your eyes and visualise five moments of gratitude. One for each sense. Let them flow through your mind like a slow-moving film:
Sight: A beautiful place you've seen recently
Sound: A comforting or joyful sound
Smell: A scent that brings warmth
Taste: A meal or treat that delighted you
Touch: A physical sensation you love
Final Thoughts: Turning Towards the Sun
I will close with this quote from my teacher, Lalah Delia:
"Like sunflowers, no matter where they are planted, turn towards the sun."
Just like sunflowers instinctively seek sunlight, we can choose to focus on light, growth, and nourishment. Even in the more challenging environments.
Gratitude creates that sunshine or higher vibration, always waiting for us to turn toward it. Every morning offers a new opportunity to connect with the beauty in our lives.
Ready to cultivate more self love and gratitude in your life? Receive my free Self-Love Spark – 21 Day Email Experience and start creating micro moments of joy, confidence, and connection in your daily life. 💛
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