When The heart grieves over what it has lost,
The spirit rejoices over what it has left.
Sufi Epigram

Grief naturally focuses our attention on what is missing. And why wouldn't it? We miss their physical presence, telling them about our day, reaching out for advice. Practicing gratitude isn't about denying your heartache.

What it does is help you acknowledge what you still have. If you are early in your loss, you may not feel ready to practice gratitude. And that is OK. You can skip this for now and come back when you know you are ready. 

Gratitude might naturally arise for you in the company of a good friend, the smell and taste of the perfect bowl of soup, or the satisfaction of working in your garden or walking down a tree-lined path. If you are ready, this roadmap will show you how to boost your aptitude for gratitude, which has a lot of physical and mental health benefits, including:

• Improved Sleep (Which Lowers Anxiety)

• Decreased Feelings Of Depression

• Reduced Physical Pain

• Reduced Inflammation

• Improved Cardiovascular Health

• Lowered Blood Pressure

Gratitude Mantra

Use the phrase below or write your own to practice gratitude spontaneously throughout the day or during your meditation practice:

“I am grateful for ____ and receive it with an open heart. May the joy I feel benefit everyone around me.”