You’ve heard everyone from Oprah to Brene Brown talk about the power of gratitude and what it can do to transform the way you see the world. Just one small shift in thinking about your circumstances can literally take you from feeling low to vibing high. It’s pretty magical!
Since this month is all about giving thanks, I thought I would ask some of my favorite people (possibly some of yours too) what they’re most grateful for and how they incorporate gratitude into their everyday lives.
Sometimes just getting a little gratitude inspiration is a great motivator for bringing more of it back into your life. I hope this post reminds you to focus on feeling grateful this month and beyond. Enjoy!
Vicky Vlachonis, Health Expert & Integrative Practitioner
What are you most grateful for?
I’m grateful for many things, but most of all for my family—they are number one! There’s nothing like the unconditional love of a mother; I’m grateful everyday for the wisdom and strength my mum has given me. She is why I am who I am today—the reason I want to help people be happy, healthy and live in their full potential!
What daily practice gets you centered in gratitude?
Morning rituals are what keep me grounded. I dry brush from head-to-toe while saying positive affirmations in front of the mirror. Our lymph nodes rely upon external stimulation to help release and flush out their toxins. Dry brushing helps do this on a daily basis. Dry brushing also helps exfoliate your largest organ—the skin!—to allow greater oxygenation of your tissues and give you a healthy, rosy glow. The key to being grateful is actually being present. I find that rituals help you stay aware and present, allowing the feeling of gratitude to flow in naturally. Remember when being grateful to include yourself! You have to be grateful for your mind, body and soul.
Nicole Jardim, Women’s Hormone Health Coach
What are you most grateful for?
I’m most grateful for my healthy female body. There was a time when I would have done anything to know what was wrong with me…when I longed to just be a healthy “normal” 20-something woman. Most young women take their health for granted but in my work I see a very different side of that. I see women who remind me of who I used to be. Too young to be dealing with such immense health concerns, and totally confused about how to begin solving them. Honor and trust your body, show her gratitude every day because she works harder for you than you’ll ever know.
What daily practice gets you centered in gratitude?
This is so simple but it really works! A number of years ago I started writing down three things that I was grateful for each night before going to sleep. Some days I didn’t feel particularly grateful at all but I’d still find three things, because who am I fooling, I’ve got a LOT to be thankful for! Then there were other days where I’d have ten things on the list. It is such a perfect way to positively reflect on each day of your life.
Seamus Mullen, Award Winning Chef
What are you most grateful for?
I am most grateful for my health. After years of living in chronic pain and suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis, I had forgotten what it was like not to be in pain. My whole sense of reality, my baseline, was pain, discomfort, inflammation, and suffering. With the help, support, and love of my doctor, Dr. Frank Lipman, my family, friends and staff, I managed to change my diet, readdress so many areas of my life that were drivers in my illness, and overcame this horrific condition. Now a day doesn’t go by that I don’t feel extremely grateful for this new lease on life.
What daily practice gets you centered in gratitude?
One thing I try to do every day is to consider my food. Before I eat anything, I take a moment to think about just exactly how this food got to be in front of me and I express a sense of gratitude for all the creatures, great and small responsible for getting this food to me. I also try to make a habit of not complaining. If I find myself about to complain about something (traffic, weather, work, etc.), I take a few moments to stop and try to put it in perspective and ask myself if it’s really worth getting my knickers in a knot over something trivial. Another thing I do is I make sure to challenge my body every day. Now that I no longer have to deal with the handicap of chronic pain, I embrace some periodic suffering ;), whether that means a power yoga class, a tough bike ride, a hard run, or just some brisk plyometrics. I like to make sure I’m always using my body to do the things it was built to do!
Blair Badenhop, Wellness Brand Strategist, Writer & Editor
What are you most grateful for?
I am most grateful for the moments in life that have either pushed me way past my comfort zone or brought me to my knees. Whether it was having to speak in front of over 2000 people in a huge, public venue or a heart-wrenching breakup, I know those moments pushed me to the edge in order to find out what I’m capable of and who I really am. Without them I would not love myself the way I do now. I’m also eternally grateful for every teacher, friend, and family member that believed in me when I wasn’t sure of myself or at my worst.
What daily practice gets you centered in gratitude?
I like to listen to a motivational spiritual talk by Abraham Hicks that reminds me everyday that life is a grand adventure. The ups, downs, twists, and turns are all part of our expansion in this lifetime. So it always gets my perspective straightened out. Next, I sit in meditation and internally say good morning to everyone I love–my parents, my sister, my boyfriend, every single friend, the people in my apartment building, all Upper West Side residents, NYC as a whole, and then the world. I imagine hugging each person and expressing my gratitude for them. Then, I think about all of the things in my life I’m grateful for: career opportunities, new connections, trips, my apartment, the ability to write and create. It all gets my heart warmed up and my perspective in alignment so that I feel totally empowered and abundant to start the day. It’s pretty magical!
McKel Hill, Healthy Food Blogger & Dietician
What are you most grateful for?
It’s hard to pick one topic! I’m grateful for the simple things in life. Making space in my day to take a walk outside and breathe in the fresh air, calling a friend or family member to say hi, reading a book, and even making tea. Above all, I’m so grateful for the people I’ve met through the Nutrition Stripped community across the globe. Being able to share my story, passion, and love for nutrition with others is a gift to be grateful for in itself because I know it’ll help, inspire, and hopefully move someone to really tap into their own health journey and improve their well-being. If I have just one small part in that, I’m tremendously grateful and blessed!
What daily practice gets you centered in gratitude?
I’m a big believer in practicing gratitude each day and making that a practice in itself by meditating on things I’m grateful for in the moment. Yet, sometimes when life is “busy” it can be more challenging to find those things, so I make lists! I’ll start my morning with prayer and gratitude that turns into receiving and meditation, then off to manifesting that focus and inspiration into action! Turning those dreams and visions into tangible things is the best motivation to keep this practice going.
Now I’d love to hear from you! Do you have a gratitude ritual that brings you back to feeling good? If not, did any of my friend’s rituals inspire you? Please share in the comments below!