Attitude of Gratitude Brings Real Benefits

By Eileen Birch, Parish Nurse

"Praise and bless my Lord, and give thanks, and serve him with great humility" St. Francis of Assisi

As we look toward Thanksgiving we are more aware of the bountiful harvest which our Lord provides. It is a time to consider the many gifts we have.

Usually we are so preoccupied with what we donít have, we forget to give thanks for what we DO have. We donít notice the blessings around us, rather we take them for granted.

The practice of gratitude is the intention to think and behave in such a way that welcomes the experience of gratitude regardless of your circumstances. Appreciation is awareness that life is a gift.

Gratitude and inner peace go hand in hand. The more grateful we feel for the gift of our lives, the more peaceful we feel. Starting the day with an attitude of gratitude will dispel allowing our minds to slip into a negative mode. So the exercise of spending a moment each day thinking of someone to thank we will focus on the good in our lives thus inviting peace. True happiness and a sense of wellbeing come from knowing we can deal with all that life offers ñ the good as well as the bad.

An attitude of gratitude is one secret worth practicing. It is a conscious choice to face life's joys and challenges living in the present with appreciation and awareness.