This Thanksgiving, focus on the real reason for this holiday: gratitude. One of my spiritual teacher’s shares:

“Gratitude is most important as it is the master key to opening the heart and the master key of your spiritual path. Always conduct yourself in a way that earns the gratitude of others and your steps on the path will always be clear.” — Maestro Lar.

In the dictionary, gratitude is defined as, ‘an appreciative awareness and thankfulness, as for kindness shown or something received.’ Every day we receive beautiful gifts, breathtaking moments, and the opportunity to change and grow. Our very life in and of itself is a gift.

For many, Gratitude Days are seen as the beginning of the holidays and the ending of another year. As we look toward the beginning of a new year and the closing of an old, start with a focus of gratitude– of giving thanks for the wonders in our lives, our world, the beautiful people surrounding us, and our own selves. We can use this holiday as a reminder to prepare for the busy holiday season with joy, openness, love, kindness, and awareness. All too often, we are overrun with shopping lists and tight schedules (We are not here just to shop). We can set an intention throughout this season to sincerely give thanks with an appreciative awareness for all that we receive.

This is a simple and profound gratitude practice that you can use to carry the energy of this beautiful season throughout the year. This is actually an ancient practice; it was given to me by my teachers and they, in turn, were given it by their teachers, on back. I give this practice to my students, clients, and patients in order to help them to remove obstacles from their lives and to help them open their hearts to be able to receive even more blessings. Try this practice for 30 days and leave a comment on your process. I will love to hear from you.

The same spiritual teacher also shared with me a research project by Dr. Robert Emmons of the University of California at Davis, on Gratitude and Thankfulness. (Link here)

May we always in all ways experience true gratitude,

Diego Sanmiquel 

Gratitude Practice

1. Make 3 lists of things you are grateful for; let the list cover the 3 areas of your existence Physical, Energetic, and Spiritual.

• Physical: Things that you can relate to or experience with your body in a tangible way. I.E., your car, your home, etc.
• Energy: You feelings and sensations. I.E.: The love for your loved ones, the sun touching your skin in the morning, etc.
• Spiritual: These are your hopes, beliefs, and dreams. I.E.: Your healing practice, your spiritual beliefs, your lineage/family, etc.

2. After you get your list, pick only the top 10 and read it before bed and when you get up in the morning, try this for 30 days, and you will see positive changes in your life.