Gratitude is living in grace. Living in a constant state of gratitude takes practice, focus, and determination. There are so many things to be grateful for, even when things adjacent to you may not feel that way. Overcome challenges using various tools to help you stay focused.
Situational Awareness
Observe everything around you at any moment, and you will likely see that you are safe and have almost everything you need, and probably more than you require. I know this is true for me. Look at the basic essentials, like running water, electricity, food, and a warm, secure place to sleep, and give thanks for each and every little gift that makes your life comfortable.
- Pause for a moment of gratitude.
- Be present in each moment.
- Notice the flowering trees or the bumblebee sipping nectar.
- Pause for a moment of gratitude.
Contemplation and Meditation
Contemplation is the act of looking thoughtfully at something for a long time. It is one aspect of a gratitude practice. Look at the things around you and within you that bring you joy or comfort. Contemplate the people, places, and situations that help you feel safe, secure, and happy.
Meditation involves training your awareness by concentrating on your breath to develop mental clarity, emotional stability, and tranquility. It doesn’t mean stopping your thoughts, but observing them without judgment. Meditation can deepen your gratitude practice by fostering a mindful, present awareness that helps transform appreciation from a passing thought into a genuine emotion. It acts as a method to redirect attention from negative thinking toward the positive and supportive elements of life, often by calming the mind and opening the heart.
Gemstones and Aromatherapy to enhance your gratitude practice
Combine lavender essential oil with the gemstone amethyst to create a powerful combination that comforts and soothes. Both lavender and amethyst are excellent for transforming challenges and out-of-balance conditions, not only physically but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, as well. Both the gem and essential oil are great tools for meditation. In addition, this combination attracts blessings and love. Like lavender, the purple vibration in amethyst has powerful transformative qualities.
The sweet, peaceful scent of mandarin essential oil improves feelings of blessings and nurturing vibrations. Inhaling the aroma of mandarin essential oil helps you to realize and remember that you have an abundance of spiritual helpers available to help you in all areas of your life and amplifies gratitude. Mandarin pairs well with pink calcite. Work with both to enhance your gratitude practice and expect the best of everything. With this due you can manifest the good at this moment. Believe and imagine that the best is yet to come.
Combine the aroma of ylang-ylang essential oil with the matching gemstone, ruby in zoisite, to create a river of bejeweled blessings. Ruby in zoisite helps you shift your perceptions so you can see everything through the eyes of love. This stone enables you to speak from your heart and allows the vibration of love to flow through you. Inhale the aroma of ylang-ylang to relax your mind and quiet the internal dialogue that cycles through your consciousness. It helps you see, feel, and be love, and encourages loving thoughts toward yourself and others. Permit blessings and love to pour into your open, receptive heart. It’s time to receive with grace.
With focused attention and heartfelt appreciation and admiration for the blessings around you, you will create an aura of grace. Share your good energy with others in an intentional and uplifting way. Spread the blessings and expand your circle of grace and gratitude every day.
Bio:
Margaret Ann Lembo is an award-winning author, aromatherapist, and the owner of The Crystal Garden. Margaret Ann is the author of 11 books and 7 oracle affirmation decks, including The Essential Guide to Crystals, Minerals and Stones, The Essential Guide to Aromatherapy and Vibrational Healing, and many more on gemstones, angels, aromatherapy, and the power of positive thought. Find out more about Margaret Ann at TheCrystalGarden.com, celebrating 37+ years, and MargaretAnnLembo.com.