You can DO gratitude.
Because gratitude should be a verb
I mean it. Think about it...
it's something you do
it's something you feel
it's something you express
and embody
- a verb? Yes, a verb :'D
It's not necessary to have a gratitude journal
You don't need to jot down a list of things you are thankful for. You can just BE. Like the true yogi_ni would. Simply BE grateful.
Yes, you can talk about it, wonder about it, even write about it but you'll reap the real benefits when you begin to actually *be* grateful for everything in your life. That said, it might sound ridiculous or unrealistic at first. I've been there. So I say, grab that notepad if you want to!
Circa 2017 I took a notebook, a pen and decided I'd write at least one thing I was grateful for that day.
I wanted to make it a daily effort to see where it'd take me. Because I couldn't simply focus on being mindful of the things I could be thankful for throughout the day. I'd notice events that were irritating or worrying. I'd hold grudge against people who'd hurt me. And I definitely didn't find it easy to appreciate the lessons life had in store of me when something didn't go as planned.
Fast forward 2 years, I was deep into the habit of grabbing my notebook (journal?) right before bed time and scribbling what I felt was worth being thankful for.
And you know what? From that "one" thing I had initially thought would be too difficult to name, I realized I couldn't put my pen down after 3, 5, 8, 25 thoughts. I started being grateful for every little lesson, every little meal, every big event... every medium-size gathering ;) I'm serious. There was beauty in everything, and a lesson to learn everywhere I'd look.
I couldn't stop thinking about how fortunate I was to be alive.
I felt like something shifted inside me. I no longer found refuge in complaining or planning the best I could. I became more at peace with what was going on around me.
Being grateful made it easier for me to start being more equanimous, too. It doesn't mean "indifferent" though! Two separate concepts. As I later learned equanimity is the basis of yoga. You could think of it as similar to "non-attachment" to thoughts and emotions.
These days, if you went over my gratitude journal, you'd see that each week includes at least one mention of a yoga class we'd have done together.
That's because I value our little community a lot. It's not just words on paper (although that too, yes, I do love a good ol' pen n paper note). It's what I feel deeply.
During each class I want to pass it on to you. Sometimes I "succeed", other times you leave the class buried deep in your own thoughts. But if for a brief moment during our session you managed to let go, I know I have done my job well. And as we finish each class with a gratitude prompt, I hope you get to practise that off the mat, too.
I'm not saying that you've got to take my word for it. Rather, give it a try and trust the process. Journal or no journal, sit for 1 minute each day to reflect on what you can be thankful for. You'll see what changes.
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