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In the United States, November is the month we celebrate Thanksgiving. I’ve always considered this to be the month of gratitude. With all the chaos going on in the world, it’s really a good idea to focus on all the positive things and wonders going on in our universe.
My father was a Holocaust survivor, and every day of his life he expressed gratitude, so at an early age I, too, learned to be grateful. This is probably one of the reasons why Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Its focus is on gathering together with loved ones for food and conversation, building a sense of interconnectedness. Giving thanks or showing gratitude is about loving and acknowledging ourselves and others. Therefore, November really is the ideal month to celebrate gratitude.
Gratitude Affects All of Us
Just before our recent presidential election, I reminisced a lot about what I remember about elections as a young child. Of course, I was thinking of my own grandchildren and what they might remember later in their own lives.
I was in third grade in 1963 when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. The date was November 22, just a week before Thanksgiving. He was a beloved president, with considerable integrity and wisdom. He led a renewed drive toward public service and held a strong belief in the Civil Rights Movement. John F. Kennedy was also someone who believed in the importance of gratitude.
President Kennedy once said, “We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.” The truth is, many of us do not express gratitude often enough, nor do we marvel at the lives we’re living. Studies have shown that those who are more grateful – and express it – are more likely to be happy and less prone to depression.
Offering Thanks to Others Every Day
This is one of the many reasons why it’s important to infuse each and every day with gratitude; and how it should truly be a built-in component of our everyday lives. Expressing it is like using a tuning fork and letting its vibrations send joy throughout the universe. Offering thanks fosters appreciation of, and a refreshing perspective on, our lives while positively affecting our physical, psychological, and emotional well-being. It can also offer opportunities for spiritual growth.
Writer Oliver Sacks, who suffered from pancreatic cancer at the end of his life, said that expressing gratitude was responsible for his staying alive longer than doctors said he would. Even though he knew his days were numbered (he passed away in 2015), he was grateful for the opportunity to look back and see his final weeks in the context of his entire life, which helped him maintain a deep sense of connection. He said that while he was afraid of dying, his main emotion at the end of his life was a feeling of gratitude.
Gratitude Journaling as a Ritual
In addition to informing others what we’re thankful for, gratitude journaling is a ritual that can help remind us what we’re thankful for. This type of writing focuses on the positive and offers an excellent opportunity to be mindful of, and grateful for, those things we might otherwise take for granted.
The art of gratitude journaling also gives us a chance to slow down and pay attention to all the good in our lives. Writing helps organize our thoughts and can facilitate healing and transformation. And, when we’re having difficult times, going back and reading what we’ve written in the past can serve as a useful tool for healing.
As someone who has been diagnosed with cancer three times now, I have made it a habit to keep a gratitude journal to remind me of all the positive aspects of my life, mainly because we have a tendency to forget all the wonders. I will always remember what the oncologist who diagnosed my second bout of cancer said: “This is the time to look for the joy in your life and have it encircle everything you do.” This really helped me come to grips with my situation.
How to Start Gratitude Journaling
Similar to other types of journaling, there are no rules, but here are some writing prompts to jump-start the ritual of gratitude journaling:
- Make a list of at least five people to express gratitude to. Beside each name, write a few sentences explaining why.
- Jot down at least five experiences that elicit feelings of gratitude. Write a few sentences on why you feel the way you do.
- Recall at least five items that represent joy, poignant moments, or treasured memories, and explain the meaning behind them.
- Write down the titles of at least five books that you’re grateful to have read, which were especially meaningful for you, and say why.
- Recall at least five trips or adventures that impacted you and note their significance.
At the beginning of each month, I send out my free monthly newsletter which offers writing prompts, reading recommendations, my appearances and timely musings. Each month has a different focus or theme, and my readers tell me that my words are very inspiring. I always make sure to thank my readers because each and every one of them is important to me and I like to show an example of gratitude so they can share it in their own circles.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
What does November symbolize to you? How have you dubbed it? Do you have a November ritual you have followed for years? How about a gratitude ritual?
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