Gratitude is a sure fire way to happiness. Research shows that practicing gratitude can elevate our happiness by 25%. In fact, gratitude has the strongest link to well being compared to any other character trait.

For many homes the holidays are busy & sometimes stressful, either preparing your home for others or traveling on the busy roads & airports to visit family & friends. This time of year is about being grateful for our good fortune, but the busy schedule doesn’t always leave room for contemplation.

Being grateful is not something we can do once a year during the holiday’s, we need a daily practice of being grateful to get long lasting results. If we want to be the kind of person who is characterized by gratitude, generosity & thankfulness then we have to focus on it not just during the holidays, but at all times of the year.

Many years ago someone told me that an enlightened person gives thanks for those things we take for granted. Since that time I do the following two practices every AM and PM that I’d like to share with you.

Daily Practice #1

I use the mantra, “I’m so happy and grateful for all that I have, all that I am and all that I will be.” Then I continue to recite all the things I’m grateful for that day.

Daily Practice #2

I practice the Metta ( Loving-Kindness) meditation. Watch this short video clip to help guide you.

I’d like to acknowledge how thankful & grateful I am for each of you.

Loving Kindness

Loving Kindness Practice Card