Did you know November was National Gratitude Month? Makes sense with Thanksgiving being celebrated in the U. S. the end of this month, but anytime we practice this essential habit will enhance our spiritual journey.
Gratitude is a powerful practice. Researchers have found that practicing daily gratitude can enhance our moods, decrease stress and drastically improve our overall level of wellbeing. Grateful people tend to be happier, healthier, more physically fit, have a higher income and have much more satisfying personal and professional relationships.
But even more importantly practicing gratitude helps us turn our heart outward, focusing on God and his gifts. We find hope, light and strength in gratitude.
“This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it”
Ps 118: 24
During this November on Tuesdays, I plan to write about gratitude.
Today I want to share a great quote to ponder by Thomas Merton:
“Gratitude is more than mental exercise, more than a formula of words. We cannot be satisfied to make a mental note of things which God has done for us and then perfunctorily thank God for favors received.
To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything God has given us and God has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of God’s love, every moment of existence is a grace for it brings with it immense graces from God.
Gratitude therefore takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God. For the grateful person knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience. And this is what makes all the difference.”
Merton’s words can be unpacked in many many ways but the biggest nugget of truth I hear here is the practice, the attitude of thankfulness, the paying attention to God’s touch and presence in everything we see, do and experience – that is key to recognizing God’s love in our lives.
Don’t you just love the energy and life in the phrase “awakening to new wonder?” What a profound way to embrace each day, attentive to all the magnificent wonders that surrounds us daily.
And grace – God’s unconditional love we never earn or fully comprehend yet what he pours out into our hearts all the time. Practicing gratitude gives us a taste of what heaven must be like – a grace-filled plunge into God’s arms of love.
Gratitude IS a powerful practice. We need much more than one month for this discipline but let’s head in that direction.
How do you practice gratitude each day?
Three observations here, Jean, for your thought-provoking post. 1) Wow! Seems odd that an attitude of gratitude would even impact a person’s income. But after a bit of consideration I decided perhaps the connection occurs because grateful people are positive people who get along with others and achieve their goals. 2) ‘Love that Thomas Merton quote–especially the part: “Gratitude is…constantly awakening to new wonder and to praise of the goodness of God.” So true! There is such joy in the discovery of a new wonder for which to praise God. 3) I try to live aware, ready to recognize God’s blessings, and then record them in a journal. I started this practice in 1983–during November! It has become a precious treasure, this record of God-enhanced moments, and his loving, supportive, magnanimous involvement in the lives of our family.
Keeping a gratitude journal – the very act of writing them down – makes this practice more powerful. I like your term living aware, like being mindful of the blessings that we do have. More than a mindset, it is a life set, a heart set isn’t it? Have a great weekend.
Hi Jean! I really like Merton’s point about not just writing down our blessings. We have to make gratitude a daily and hourly practice. To see God in His presence in everything, all things. It’s such a huge concept, but a very joyful one.
Do I practice it every day? No sir. I sure don’t. But I want to get better at it, that’s for sure. I get too caught up in my ‘jobs’ and worries. May God continue to give me the grace to fly in His love and attention!
Blessings,
Ceil
I love this – May God continue to give me the grace to fly in His love and attention. wonderful image, Ceil. I too need to continual reminder and practice of this powerful habit. Thank you for always commenting and becoming a friend. Blessings
As I’m sure you’ve already noticed, Jean, I’m a firm believer in having a Gratitude Attitude each and every day. This day, I’m thankfully celebrating the arrival of your book, Monthly Musings Journal, and have already written down part of the quote you give us from Thomas Merton. Blessings to you!
Your kind words have made my day. Thanks Martha!
This has been on my radar again lately because I joined a 5-week small group that is reading One Thousand Gifts. I’ve read it before, but doing it with a group (and the DVD series) is impressing on me anew the importance of gratitude. I’ll look forward to reading your posts this month. I’m thankful for you, Jean!
After I read One Thousand Gifts I too had the chance to do it again in a small group and actually enjoyed it even better with the discussion.Her writing style is so unique. And jus think the impact she has made delivering the message God gave her. Inspirational. Hope you are having a great week, Lisa.
Jean,
Thanks so much for sharing the Merton quote…so much goodness…This spoke to me in particular: “For the grateful person knows that God is good, not by hearsay but by experience. And this is what makes all the difference.” Nothing like experience 🙂
I just love Merton. So wise. Yes experiences both good and bad can open us up to God. Blessings on your week, Dolly