As the holidays approach, take a moment to explore how daily appreciation can transform your outlook, deepen your faith, and bring lasting peace and joy. This reflection invites you to slow down, reconnect with God, and rediscover gratitude as an essential part of true wellness.
Thanksgiving is a Few Weeks Away!
Gratitude is the most important aspect of our health, and those individuals who practice it daily experience more joy, happiness, and full lives.
In macrobiotic philosophy, the spiritual condition for health is sometimes described as having endless appreciation. This aspect of appreciation encompasses all of life and all the aspects of life we encounter. A sign of spiritual maturity and health demonstrates appreciation. This means to be grateful for everything, the desirable experiences and those we would prefer not to experience. In other words, to have gratitude under any and all circumstances shows the highest form of health.
This is not an original idea. In scripture, God’s word shows us countless examples of how we can grow during any season of our life, even during the darkest of times. When we learn to focus on all the ways we have been blessed, we begin to feel more of a sense of calm, peace, and joy. Through this calm, we can find hope.
We can also look at this from the view of front and back. Remember, the bigger the front, the bigger the back. In times of deep suffering, we have the potential to experience the most growth. The more we choose to be thankful and approach life with a deep sense of gratitude, the more we can experience joy.
Gratitude is a form of expression that can be incorporated into our daily lives. This simple daily ritual can be done anytime, anywhere, whether you approach it in a form of prayer or meditation. It is simply a practice of taking a few deep breaths, then clearing and calming the mind.
Now think about how you are feeling in the moment. Take another deep breath, hold it for a few seconds, and think of at least three things you are grateful for, pausing after each thought, followed by another breath. Through this practice, our attention is focused on the many ways in which we are blessed while also reminding us of the small, simple things for which we are grateful to have.
Make this a daily practice, shifting your focus to positive thoughts while releasing fear and anxiety. You will begin to experience more joy and a sense of love. Anxiety and joy cannot exist simultaneously, just as love and bitterness cannot. Gratitude helps open our hearts because it reminds us of what God has already done in our lives.
Take the time to connect with God. Show your appreciation and give thanks often.
– Susan Waxman
“Gratitude reminds your heart of what God has already done for you and faith of what He is about to do.” (Author Unknown)
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Macrobiotics
What is macrobiotics? Macrobiotics is a system of holistic principles and dynamic practices that guides choices in nutrition, activity, and lifestyle for physical, emotional, mental, social, and environmental health.
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