A Gateway to Love and Acceptance
The Lemon Drop: The Power of Gratitude
Have you explored the power of gratitude in embracing the present moment as the gateway to love and acceptance?
In this Lemon Drop, we dive into the profound virtue of expressing gratitude, moving beyond a mere happy feeling for life's favorable aspects to encompass a broader perspective of living a more fulfilling and present life.
The Slice: Gratitude - A Key Virtue for Present-Moment Acceptance
We live in a world where we are constantly overstimulated with “the next best thing” and other people's lives, relationships, successes and failures to compare ourselves too. This makes it easy to prioritize just about everything except our own self-discovery journey that is ever evolving. When we neglect ourselves in this way we are not showing ourselves love or acceptance. Practicing gratitude can change this.
Gratitude has not always been a daily practice of mine and I found myself caught up in “the next best thing” whirlwind. I would be on to the next situation where I felt I had something to prove based on where I was lacking without acknowledging the present moment and how much I had. I have always been grateful - I’ve known how blessed I am for a multitude of reasons, but I was not actively practicing gratitude. There is a big difference…
Just being grateful is only an acknowledgement, not a virtue, and your focus is still on when the next best thing is coming. Actually practicing gratitude is when it is expressed as a virtue and brings attention to perceive more of the goodness we have and are always receiving. My practice of gratitude is now one of the most grounding things and greatest expressions of love I do for myself daily.
The Squeeze: Gratitude - More Than a Happy Feeling
Incorporating gratitude into our lives goes beyond momentary happiness; it's a conscious choice to expand our awareness and perception of the goodness surrounding us. From the smallest joys to life's profound gifts, gratitude offers a lens through which we can truly appreciate the richness of our existence.
Practical Pointers: Cultivating Gratitude for a More Fulfilling Life
Start with the Small Things: Acknowledge and express gratitude for the little blessings in your life.
Create a Gratitude Journal: Document moments of appreciation to deepen your awareness - I have filled a journal everyday, for over a year, with 3 grateful thoughts.
Express Gratitude to Others: Share your appreciation with those who contribute positively to your life.
Practice Mindful Gratitude: Take moments throughout the day to reflect on what you're thankful for.
Shift Perspective: View challenges as opportunities for growth and find gratitude even in adversity.
The Sip: Practice Gratitude
Gratitude is more than a narrow view of happiness or a fleeting emotion; it is a deliberate practice that enriches our experience of life. Each expression of gratitude becomes a step towards a more fulfilling existence, allowing us to savor the goodness that surrounds us and fostering love and acceptance for every aspect of our journey.
Until Next Week,
Kayla M Logue
P.S. I want to hear from you! Email me questions, thoughts or topics you would love to read about at kayla@kaylalogue.com.