Gratitude

The Journey of Spirituality

Gratitude

Gratitude is the foundation for spiritual growth. Being grateful for all the things you now have opens up the door for more to come your way so you will continue to have more and more things to be grateful for.

What is gratitude? Gratitude according to Webster's New World Dictionary means: a feeling of thankful appreciation for favors or benefits received. Thankfulness. Grace.

I personally use what I call ITM Gratitude. ITM Gratitude stands for "In The Moment" gratitude. Here is how it works. Whatever I am doing in the moment I think or say out loud "Thank you for .........." I often direct the "Thank you" to my source word which for me is God. You can use the source word that suits you or that resonates with your beliefs. The main thing is to be grateful for everything that you already have in order to receive more of what you really want in life. You can choose to be grateful for people, animals, nature, places and things. There is a lot to be grateful for!

If you are new to the gratitude practice I suggest you start in a very simple way and look around your immediate space and say/think something like "Thank you for the electricity that lights and heats this space." Listed below are some of my own ITM (In The Moment) Gratitude practices:

	While I am in my bed at night before falling asleep: Thank you for this bed. Thank you for the warm blanket on my bed. Thank you for this sheets. Thank you for the soft pillow that my head is touching.
	While taking a shower: Thank you for this shower. Thank you for this water. Thank you for this shampoo that I am using on my hair. Thank you for the soap I am using. Thank you for the towels I am drying off with.
	While doing dishes: Thank you for these dishes. Thank you for this silverware. Thank you for these glasses. Thank you for this sink. Thank you for the dishwashing liquid. Thank for the water to wash and rinse the dishes. Thank you God for these things and more.
	While visiting with family and friends: Thank you God for my loved ones. Thank you for their love and support. Thank for you for the positive conversation and connection. Thank you God for the gift of family and friends.
	While out in nature: Thank you God for the trees, the sky, the grass, the earth, the fresh air, the birds and wildlife. Thank you God for these things and more.

I often end my ITM Gratitude session with an all encompassing statement like "Thank you God for these things and more." Again you can direct your ending statement to the source word that you are comfortable with and that matches your beliefs or religious practices.

Get into the practice of ITM Gratitude and you will notice a positive difference in how you feel

and think. Start observing your environment and start making gratitude statements for all the things you are grateful for. You can start with just one moment of your day. Or you can choose to do several moments a day. You pick and choose the time and the place. You pick and choose what to notice and be grateful for. There is always something to be grateful for and once you start noticing things in the moment you will find more and more to be grateful for. Please Note: You can make your ITM Gratitude statements silently or speak them out loud. Most of mine our silent. I think my gratitude statements throughout my day.

I promise you that when you get into the habit of ITM gratitude you will see and feel a positive difference in your life right away. Remember: When you are grateful for all of the things that you already have in your life you then open up the door to receive more of what you really want in life.

In this moment, I am so grateful for you and the time you took to read this article. Thank you!

Sincerely, Catherine

Some of my favorite music that helps me on my spiritual journey is from Mark Hayes and Monique Danielle and Karen Drucker

Please Note: Law of Attraction simply stated is this: "I attract into my life whatever I give my persistent thought and focus to." If you are new to The Law of Attraction and its principles and would like some extra help and guidance in learning how to use and practice these principles in your everyday life, then please click on the following link Coaching and Mentoring.