Gifts for Navigating the Holidays - The Gift of Gratitude Podcast by Psychic Mackenzie

By Psychic Mackenzie x9602

An Attitude of Gratitude 

There is more to gratitude than just the quality of the word. It’s the “feeling of appreciation” we feel or show. Did you know that, according to Wikipedia, the study of the emotional effect of gratitude in psychology only began around the year 2000?  Traditionally, psychology focused more on understanding distress than on the positive emotions of gratitude. 

During the holiday season, we hear more and feel more empathy toward difficult situations people are facing.  It’s a period during which people will tend to focus on problems rather than solutions, often missing someone after a breakup or thinking of a loved one who is no longer on the Earth plane. 

It is not only the attitude of gratitude each of us can focus on, but it is the feeling behind gratitude and what it points to in our lives. I have learned from the channeled teachings by the Power of 10 to be grateful for all that I have. To paraphrase Power of 10, it is a never-ending cycle. By being grateful every day for what you have, the more you will manifest.  And each day you wake up you can feel grateful to be alive and to have the adventure of another day or a “do-over.” 

To stay centered during this holiday season, remember you always have the power within you to choose how you will feel.  You can tell yourself a story of how you have nothing to be grateful for or you can choose to be grateful each day you wake up for the opportunity of another adventure. 

Whenever I find everything is out of whack or the day isn’t going how I thought it would, I stop and clear my mind (like erasing a chalkboard of thoughts) and focus on being grateful for all that I have.  As you continue along the path of gratitude, you will find yourself giving to others and being grateful for what your family and friends have as well.  Remember to be grateful you have a roof over your head, the air you can breathe, the water you can drink, a smile you can give a stranger, a door you can open for someone else, and the freedom and power to choose how you feel during the day. 

The Power of Being Grateful

Have you ever seen a smile on a crippled person’s face, peaceful and pleasant despite their obvious personal trial? It often inspires others to think about what they have to be thankful for and reminds us how our own peace and pleasantness will embolden others to seek the same.

A thankful heart draws others. Like being kind-hearted, graciousness is an attractive quality that others wish to have for themselves.

Being thankful means watching our tongue. A complaining heart brings discontent whereby a thankful heart brings joy. 

Being grateful for all we have stops the tendency to compare ourselves to others. Gratitude is a 'personal gift', so as we face our own personal hard times it is comforting to keep our own perspectives and not compare ourselves to others. We have the powerful gift of free will. This is your opportunity to open new 'blessings' doors. Gratitude is as personal as the hue and color of our eyes.

During serious, sometimes life-altering changes, whether in health or grief or in love, we can wear our sensibilities out. When we build grace by standing strong, we alter the course of events literally in an instant. Poof, it just happens to go better now. Gratitude has power, just like the power of true love. It's literal magical medicine to soothe our very souls.

Gratitude keeps our focus on what's important. It reminds us that we're not in control of everything and to be humble to our Creator, so we can go with the 'flow'. A heart full of gratitude doesn't have time to complain; they see the beauty in a mud puddle. A grateful heart forces negativity to flee and wards off the bad, opening you up to a stronger, more peaceful life and manifesting more good to be drawn to you.

It's easy to feel grateful when all is going well. Yet it often seems impossibly harsh to strive for gratitude when times are hard.  But that’s just when we need gratitude’s magic the most. In fact, in dire situations when a fire is heaped upon us, we have the most to gain by a grateful perspective on life. Gratitude has the power to energize us in the face of what feels demoralizing. When we are broken, gratitude has the power to heal. In despair, gratitude is a solid 'hope".

Science has proved those who are grateful are in much better physical and mental health. It creates a sense of calm versus anxiousness. Those who make a conscious effort to be truly grateful, and act on it daily, will see the long-lasting benefits to both body and spirit.

Experience Gratitude in the Moment