Gratitude is a powerful emotion, but learning to truly embrace it can feel overwhelming, especially when starting your spiritual journey. If you grew up in an environment where gratitude was more about guilt or shame, you might find it challenging to connect with the genuine feeling of being thankful. Phrases like "Be grateful you have clothes" or "There are starving kids in the world, so eat your food" might have left you feeling more burdened than blessed. But what if you could shift that narrative and tap into the real power of gratitude? Let's explore how to do just that.
When I first tried to practice gratitude, it felt almost impossible. I was stuck in old patterns, unable to see beyond my immediate circumstances. My mornings would start with a mental loop of negativity—feeling like a victim of my own life before even getting out of bed. The laundry on the floor, the mess in the house, and the cold air made me want to stay under the covers. Sometimes, I'd even reach for my phone, seeking out something—anything—that would justify my bad mood. It wasn’t laziness; it was a deep-seated comfort in those familiar emotions.
Our thoughts have a powerful impact on our emotions, and those emotions, in turn, trigger a chemical response in our brain, reinforcing these patterns. Breaking this cycle required me to trick myself into forming a new habit—one of genuine gratitude.
Knowing that I needed to make this process easy, I started with something I loved—my morning coffee routine. This was already a time of joy for me, so it was the perfect place to introduce a new practice. Here’s how I did it:
This daily ritual did more than just improve my mood—it began to rewire my brain. Practicing gratitude consistently helped me create new neural pathways, shifting my mindset and energy. The more I practiced, the more natural it became, until feeling grateful became my new normal.
One of the most significant benefits of this practice is how it impacts both your energy field and your physical brain. By regularly engaging in gratitude, you’re not just changing your mindset; you’re physically altering the structure of your brain, making it easier to maintain these positive feelings.
To help you start your own gratitude practice, try this simple exercise: Every day, ask yourself to name three things you’re grateful for, three people who love you, and three people you love. The key is to come up with different answers each day, which encourages your brain to constantly seek out new positives in your life. You can even try this with your family at dinner—share your answers and see how it transforms your daily interactions.
If you're interested in diving deeper into this topic, I'm hosting free office hours every Tuesday at marisagrieco.com. It's an opportunity to chat with me over Zoom and share your experiences with gratitude. I’d love to hear how this practice is working for you!
Remember, you are not your thoughts, your body, or your emotions—you are light. Embrace your brightness, live in gratitude, and be true to yourself.
Until next time, I’m Marisa Grieco, your mystical guide.
