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Sedona Hutton's Blog - Posts Tagged "gratitude-practice"
Giving Thanks Isn't Just for Thanksgiving
Giving thanks is en vogue during the Thanksgiving season. But we can—and studies suggest we should—count our blessings every day of the year.
Many studies have noted the correlation between gratitude and happiness. In a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Robert Emmons found that people who kept a gratitude journal were happier than those who didn’t. The study concluded that the journal participants reported considerably more satisfaction with their lives, felt more optimism, and were more connected with others than participants in the control group.
It’s ironic that we need to journal or take a mental pause to give thanks. But these days most of us lead busy lives and it’s easy to get caught up in non-stop tasks or running from one commitment to another. If we don’t make a conscious effort to be grateful, it may not happen.
In my contemporary romance novel, Nora’s Promise, Nora uses a simple gratitude technique. She takes pause and makes a mental list of her gratitudes. Afterward, her mood improves. A brief excerpt is provided below:
"She needed to pull herself together and focus on the now. Using a technique that Steph had taught her, she silently listed her gratitudes. Ben, Davey, Steph, Cruz. Cosmo, Concordia, Chance. Ella and Hud. The mountains and open land around them. Her mood lifted and she felt a smile tug at the corners of her mouth. Her list had barely scratched the surface. With so much to be thankful for, how could she be in a bad mood?"
Practicing gratitude can be that easy—simply make a mental list of what comes to mind. Or you can use a gratitude journal, meditation, mindful walk or any other process that works for you. The key is to keep it simple and focused.
It’s a great way to pass time during your commute to work, while walking the dog, or when waiting in line at the grocery store. Journaling or mentally recapping your gratitudes is a wonderful way to start and end your day.
Regardless of the method used, gratitude is a powerful process that fosters optimism and helps shift your energy from negative to positive. Given the significant benefits, why not make gratitude a regular part of every day?
“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every moment with love, grace, and gratitude.” Denis Waitley
Nora’s Promise: She trusts animals more than men. He runs through women like tires. Can one orphaned boy force them to change gears?
Tap the link to buy the book today! my link text
To sign up for Sedona’s blog newsletter, tap this link: my link text and scroll down to the newsletter sign-up.
Many studies have noted the correlation between gratitude and happiness. In a study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Robert Emmons found that people who kept a gratitude journal were happier than those who didn’t. The study concluded that the journal participants reported considerably more satisfaction with their lives, felt more optimism, and were more connected with others than participants in the control group.
It’s ironic that we need to journal or take a mental pause to give thanks. But these days most of us lead busy lives and it’s easy to get caught up in non-stop tasks or running from one commitment to another. If we don’t make a conscious effort to be grateful, it may not happen.
In my contemporary romance novel, Nora’s Promise, Nora uses a simple gratitude technique. She takes pause and makes a mental list of her gratitudes. Afterward, her mood improves. A brief excerpt is provided below:
"She needed to pull herself together and focus on the now. Using a technique that Steph had taught her, she silently listed her gratitudes. Ben, Davey, Steph, Cruz. Cosmo, Concordia, Chance. Ella and Hud. The mountains and open land around them. Her mood lifted and she felt a smile tug at the corners of her mouth. Her list had barely scratched the surface. With so much to be thankful for, how could she be in a bad mood?"
Practicing gratitude can be that easy—simply make a mental list of what comes to mind. Or you can use a gratitude journal, meditation, mindful walk or any other process that works for you. The key is to keep it simple and focused.
It’s a great way to pass time during your commute to work, while walking the dog, or when waiting in line at the grocery store. Journaling or mentally recapping your gratitudes is a wonderful way to start and end your day.
Regardless of the method used, gratitude is a powerful process that fosters optimism and helps shift your energy from negative to positive. Given the significant benefits, why not make gratitude a regular part of every day?
“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every moment with love, grace, and gratitude.” Denis Waitley
Nora’s Promise: She trusts animals more than men. He runs through women like tires. Can one orphaned boy force them to change gears?
Tap the link to buy the book today! my link text
To sign up for Sedona’s blog newsletter, tap this link: my link text and scroll down to the newsletter sign-up.
6 Easy Ways to Practice Gratitude
GRATITUDE: NOUN
“The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.” —
Lexico–Oxford Dictionary
No matter where we are on our life’s path, we always have something to be grateful for. Luke Bryan states this well in his smash country hit, “Most People Are Good”: “…every breath’s a gift, the first one to the last.”
Even on a bad day, there are so many things to be grateful for—our breath, shelter, food, family, friends, pets, our planet, and even for life itself. The list is endless if we take time to contemplate.
When we feel gratitude for the blessings in our lives, we cultivate a deep sense of positivity. According to Psychology Today, feeling grateful boosts happiness and delivers physical and psychological health benefits. Our gratitude also benefits others. When we’re feeling grateful, we’re kinder, more generous, and more giving toward our family, friends, and really, everyone around us.
So how does one cultivate a practice of gratitude? There isn’t just one way, but many paths to gratitude.
In my contemporary romance, Nora’s Promise, Nora uses an easy technique—she runs through a mental list of gratitudes in her mind. Below is a brief excerpt:
Nora needed to pull herself together and focus on the now. Using a technique Steph had taught her, she silently listed her gratitudes. Ben, Davey, Steph, Cruz. Cosmo, Concordia, Chance. Ella and Hud. The mountains and open land around them. Her mood lifted and she felt a smile tug at the corners of her mouth. Her list had barely scratched the surface. With so much to be thankful for, how could she be in a bad mood?
6 Easy Ways to Practice Gratitude
1. Like Nora, make a mental list of the things you’re grateful for (this works no matter where you are—in a car, on an airplane, in line at the grocery store…the possibilities are endless!)
2. Write your gratitudes in a journal every morning.
3. Give gratitude at the beginning of your meditation or yoga practice.
4. Take a mindful walk and give thanks for the experiences along your journey.
5. Take turns sharing gratitudes with a group of family members or friends.
6. Perform a random act of kindness (this can be as simple as a smile or a hug, a cup of coffee, or a gift to someone in need.) When you show compassion to others, it’s hard not to feel a corresponding sense of gratitude.
There are so many ways to practice gratitude. This short list is offered to get you started and to inspire you to establish whatever technique works for you.
Gratitude is a powerful process that fosters optimism by shifting energy from negative to positive. Given the significant benefits, why not make gratitude a part of your daily routine?
“Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness. It’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul.” – Amy Collette
This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction blended with new age spirituality.
Nora’s Promise, A Racing Hearts in Serenity Romance— Reader's Favorite 2019 Bronze Contemporary Romance winner and 2019 NIEA Bronze winner: She trusts animals more than men. He races through women like checkered flags. Can one orphaned boy bring them both to the finish line? https://amzn.to/2OktquX
***FREE PROMO AUDIOBOOK CODES ARE AVAILABLE FOR NORA’S PROMISE, while supplies last. To request a free audiobook code, please send an email to: Sedonayhutton@gmail.com.***
The Perfect Lap, A Racing Hearts in Serenity Romance—2019 Reader’s Favorite Contemporary Romance Finalist: His job is to drive fast. Hers is to put the brakes on him. When sparks fly, will love cross the finish line? https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv
Cloud Whispers—2019 IPPY Bronze winner for Visionary Fiction. The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate….https://amzn.to/2IZ6DRc
To sign up for Sedona’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/ (No spam—ever!)
Recommended Reading:
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne: https://amzn.to/2GwSGJc
The Ten Commitments by Dr. David Simon: https://amzn.to/2UEH0J2
The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire by Deepak Chopra: https://amzn.to/2C9BF5k
Disclosure: The above links to recommended books are affiliate links. If you buy the book through these links, I receive a small commission on the sale. I’ve recommended these books because they’ve been meaningful to me personally and not because of the affiliate program. However, from a legal perspective, I need to identify these as affiliate links.
“The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.” —
Lexico–Oxford Dictionary
No matter where we are on our life’s path, we always have something to be grateful for. Luke Bryan states this well in his smash country hit, “Most People Are Good”: “…every breath’s a gift, the first one to the last.”
Even on a bad day, there are so many things to be grateful for—our breath, shelter, food, family, friends, pets, our planet, and even for life itself. The list is endless if we take time to contemplate.
When we feel gratitude for the blessings in our lives, we cultivate a deep sense of positivity. According to Psychology Today, feeling grateful boosts happiness and delivers physical and psychological health benefits. Our gratitude also benefits others. When we’re feeling grateful, we’re kinder, more generous, and more giving toward our family, friends, and really, everyone around us.
So how does one cultivate a practice of gratitude? There isn’t just one way, but many paths to gratitude.
In my contemporary romance, Nora’s Promise, Nora uses an easy technique—she runs through a mental list of gratitudes in her mind. Below is a brief excerpt:
Nora needed to pull herself together and focus on the now. Using a technique Steph had taught her, she silently listed her gratitudes. Ben, Davey, Steph, Cruz. Cosmo, Concordia, Chance. Ella and Hud. The mountains and open land around them. Her mood lifted and she felt a smile tug at the corners of her mouth. Her list had barely scratched the surface. With so much to be thankful for, how could she be in a bad mood?
6 Easy Ways to Practice Gratitude
1. Like Nora, make a mental list of the things you’re grateful for (this works no matter where you are—in a car, on an airplane, in line at the grocery store…the possibilities are endless!)
2. Write your gratitudes in a journal every morning.
3. Give gratitude at the beginning of your meditation or yoga practice.
4. Take a mindful walk and give thanks for the experiences along your journey.
5. Take turns sharing gratitudes with a group of family members or friends.
6. Perform a random act of kindness (this can be as simple as a smile or a hug, a cup of coffee, or a gift to someone in need.) When you show compassion to others, it’s hard not to feel a corresponding sense of gratitude.
There are so many ways to practice gratitude. This short list is offered to get you started and to inspire you to establish whatever technique works for you.
Gratitude is a powerful process that fosters optimism by shifting energy from negative to positive. Given the significant benefits, why not make gratitude a part of your daily routine?
“Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness. It’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul.” – Amy Collette
This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction blended with new age spirituality.
Nora’s Promise, A Racing Hearts in Serenity Romance— Reader's Favorite 2019 Bronze Contemporary Romance winner and 2019 NIEA Bronze winner: She trusts animals more than men. He races through women like checkered flags. Can one orphaned boy bring them both to the finish line? https://amzn.to/2OktquX
***FREE PROMO AUDIOBOOK CODES ARE AVAILABLE FOR NORA’S PROMISE, while supplies last. To request a free audiobook code, please send an email to: Sedonayhutton@gmail.com.***
The Perfect Lap, A Racing Hearts in Serenity Romance—2019 Reader’s Favorite Contemporary Romance Finalist: His job is to drive fast. Hers is to put the brakes on him. When sparks fly, will love cross the finish line? https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv
Cloud Whispers—2019 IPPY Bronze winner for Visionary Fiction. The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate….https://amzn.to/2IZ6DRc
To sign up for Sedona’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/ (No spam—ever!)
Recommended Reading:
The Secret by Rhonda Byrne: https://amzn.to/2GwSGJc
The Ten Commitments by Dr. David Simon: https://amzn.to/2UEH0J2
The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire by Deepak Chopra: https://amzn.to/2C9BF5k
Disclosure: The above links to recommended books are affiliate links. If you buy the book through these links, I receive a small commission on the sale. I’ve recommended these books because they’ve been meaningful to me personally and not because of the affiliate program. However, from a legal perspective, I need to identify these as affiliate links.
