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3 Practices for Becoming More Grateful

6/17/2013

2 Comments

 
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Anxiety often blocks our ability to find gratitude and contentment in our daily lives. Anxiety leads us towards feelings of fear, stress and insecurity.  


It's during these times that we need to focus on appreciation and santosha (contentment). Our santosha practice helps guide us to find peace regardless of what our path presents us with. Santosha is one of five niyama practices that can be found in the eightfold path in Patanjali's Yoga Sutra and encourages us to find satisfaction with what we are given in life.  


Here are 3 tips to help guide you to gratitude and practice santosha 


1- keep a journal with you at all times. during the day, write down everything you find yourself being grateful for and satisfied with. whether big or small, write it down! the act of writing it down makes you become aware of what you are thankful and happy for and at the end of the night before you go to sleep, pull out the journal, read what you wrote down and reflect on all of your daily blessings. *the coolest part about this practice is that you go to sleep with a heart full of appreciation. 

2- offer sincere moments of gratitude to everyone around you. go out of your way to show the people you love how much you appreciate them. tell your friends, family and co-workers that you are thankful for them and truly express appreciation for what they do. spread this appreciation far and wide- to the stressed out barista that makes your morning latte to the office intern who helps organize your files. when you operate from a place of gratitude, you will bring more things to be grateful for into your life. offering it outward, helps you feel it and experience it inward. 

3- create a mantra. make one that empowers you, reminds you to find peace with what is and be grateful for it. write that mantra on the cover of your gratitude journal. write it on post-its and stick them around your house. make it your background on your laptop and phone. incorporate it into your meditations. do whatever you can to expose yourself to this mantra everyday. and most importantly, say it when you notice ungrateful, anxious and disempowering thoughts come up. 

what are you thankful for today?
i am thankful for you. 

xo, b

2 Comments
Maria
7/11/2013 02:13:40 am

I am grateful for the dedication you have towards helping others. Thank you, this post was very helpful for me.

Reply
bonnie
7/11/2013 03:20:04 am

thank you, maria! i am so happy you liked it! xo

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    I'm a formerly anxious chick that found my zen on the mat. I used yoga, pranayama and yogic philosophies to alleviate my debilitating anxiety and get my life back on track. Now, I spend my time teaching yoga, coaching others and helping people find a more peaceful path in life. 

    * The opinions expressed on this blog are solely my own and what personally worked for me. Always consult a physician before starting any new yoga or workout routine. 

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