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| The Healing Power of Gratitude |
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Think of someone you know who radiates abundant joy and enthusiasm for life. Chances are, that person jumps out of bed each morning with a heartfelt sense of gratitude for the blessings that the new day holds in store. The older I get, the more firmly I am convinced that the royal road to health and happiness lies in cultivating the quality of gratitude, or appreciation for the many blessings that life has to offer.
Give Thanks to Your Body
The following is a powerful exercise for blessing your body, and thanking your various bodily systems for their role in channeling health and vitality through your life.
Lie down in a comfortable place, and calm yourself by taking several deep, relaxing breaths. Now take several minutes to scan your body, from your head down to your toes, giving thanks to every vital organ and bodily system for the services they render you. Give thanks to your eyes for the gift of sight - perhaps reflecting on a beautiful sunset or another awe-inspiring scene from nature that you have experienced. Then give thanks to your ears for the gift of hearing - reflecting on the intense pleasure you derive from listening to beautiful music, or hearing the melodious sound of your partner's voice. Keep on moving downward, giving thanks to each organ for their contribution to your overall health and well being, and for the pleasure and vitality they bring you.
As you are blessing your various bodily systems, be particularly sensitive to any parts of your body that may be experiencing signs of distress. When you encounter an area that is in distress, simply pause and ask this part of you what it would like you to do to help alleviate this distress. You may be surprised at what you learn by asking this simple question and listening to your body's response.
Gratitude as a Bridge to Healing
A bit over a year ago I underwent a health-related crisis that motivated me to become intimately familiar with the healing power of gratitude. I was rather run down at the time, and my immune system was "zapped" in terms of weakened resistance to colds and flu viruses. I consulted a mentor, whose sage advice helped me successfully navigate this healing crisis. As an integral component of my healing process, I was advised to start each day by writing out a list of things that I am grateful for. I now keep a notepad by my bed, and each morning before beginning my meditation, I take a few minutes to make a list of 7-8 items that I am grateful for that day.
I can't begin to describe how powerful this simple exercise has been in terms of promoting healing at the level of mind, body and spirit. By starting each day with my gratitude list, I consciously shift my attention to the many blessings in my life. This is light years away from my previous pattern of starting off far too many days bemoaning the fact that I have to get up at 5:15 AM to start my 2-hour daily commute to my day job, as opposed to being able to focus all of my attention on my writing and counseling. What a difference!
Through this experience, I am truly learning the healing power of gratitude. I am thoroughly convinced that gratitude - which I define as a sincere sense of appreciation for the manifest blessings in our lives - is the foundation for a truly meaningful sense of faith in our higher power, together with the gifts of divine grace and divine guidance. A strong sense of faith, in turn, paves the way for the healing and positive outcomes that we are seeking.
In short, if you are struggling with any form of crisis in your life, I would urge you to set aside a few minutes each morning to compose your own daily gratitude list. If your experience is anything like mine, you will find that the results are nothing short of miraculous.
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About The Author:
John Newport, Ph.D., is author of The Wellness-Recovery Connection: Charting Your Pathway to Optimal Health While Recovering from Alcoholism and Drug Addiction. He is a free-lance writer and wellness counselor based in Port Townsend, Washington, and is available to provide program consultation and presentations for treatment centers and addictions conferences. He is also available (either in person or by telephone) for low-cost personal counseling on all issues relating to wellness and recovery. To contact Dr. John, visit his website at www.wellnessandrecovery.com or call (360) 385-0229. |
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