As we approach the holiday season, I am wondering what that looks like for you, the reader?  With all of this year’s events from COVID 19 to riots, I can imagine some of you may reflect with feelings of sadness, fear, anxiety and loss. I know at times my mind felt very chaotic.  My heart hurts for you…and for the world.  That is why I write this blog in hopes that it might plant a few seeds of gratefulness that bloom into more smiles.  

More than ever we need to tap into our body’s innate systems to drive us away from things that make us feel less hopeful. Did you know that giving thanks, even in really hard times, can make you happier?  Simple thankfulness or gratitude has been associated with better health, better relationships, stronger skills for overcoming adversity, and positive emotions.  How does that work you might ask?  When we practice the art of gratefulness, we cause neurotransmitters that influence emotions to be charged in a positive way.  

And for those readers who log onto BBL for eating empowerment, you’re gonna love this! Research suggests that expressing gratitude is associated with “healthy eating”.  Gratitude helps reduce negative emotions or affect which in turn improves coping that positively influences behaviors such as eating.  What I love about this concept is that gratitude is not a pill or a medication (not that there is anything wrong with pills or medications) but it’s completely free! You don’t have to get a prescription from your doctor to get it. It cannot hurt us. No potentially negative side effects. So, why not try it?

Furthermore, we are commanded by God to keep healthy hold of our thoughts and what better way to do this than gratefulness.  In 2 Corinthians 10:5, we are commanded to demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Most mornings I try to follow in the rhythm of the Psalmist who stated, “I will praise you O Lord with all my heart.”   He loves to hear from us, and we bless the ultimate Giver through our gratitude to Him. 

With all of this said, keep in mind I am a mother of 3, one of whom was adopted not so long ago, and I am perimenopausal!  So, engaging in gratefulness practices has to be intentional and sometimes forced. This is often a fake-it-till-you-make-it sort of thing. I must CHOOSE to be grateful rather than kicking the trash can.  

On the days when I can get passed my own ugly humanness, I practice gratefulness through prayer, writing it in a journal or conversing with my family and friends.  I throw them a gratefulness boomerang and they send it right back.  The happiness neurotransmitters could light up the sky!  

Let’s try it now.  Get a paper and pencil or say this out loud. And if you are not feeling like you want to, I dare you to try it anyway!

I am thankful for __________________________. 

If you need some help, try ideas like:

·       Being able to move my body.

·       Being able to choose what I eat.

·       Being at a different place than I was __ years ago.  

·       Breathing.

·       The sunset.

·       Children’s giggles.

I challenge you to go up to someone today and ask “What are you grateful for?”  I can almost guarantee you will get a pause, a smile and a willing answer… and if you don’t, at least you have planted a grateful seed! Happy Thanksgiving!  We are so GRATEFUL for you, our readers!

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Food Freedom Bible Study is now available for individuals and Registered Dietitians who want to earn CEU’s. It’s a simple, online, gospel-centered program for breaking the bondage of food, exercise and body issues and FRIDAY we will be announcing our special holiday sales! Make sure you are on our email list to find out!