Happy Gratitude Day

What an amazing thing it is that we set aside one day out of the year to consciously bask in the holy ground of our connectedness with our family and friends. Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday in that it is not so easily sullied by commercialization. Gratitude springs from the opened heart and cannot be traded in the market place. I’m grateful for that.

The experience of really feeling deep gratitude has an effect on our entire physiology. That emotion causes the release of neuropeptides, our body’s natural, intrinsic, healing pharmacy. (See the “Healing Tips” page for ways you can release your own neuropeptides.) It shuts down the “fight or flight” sympathetic nervous system’s activity and allows for the “rest and digest” parasympathetic nervous system to emerge. We can take a deep breath, our shoulders relax, and we can awaken to our presence in the moment. We discover a sense of peace and well-being, of feeling blessed and loved. Our hearts open and we experience the “parasympathetic mind.” We understand what is truly valuable in this life: our connectedness with our deepest selves and each other.

That we as a nation set aside this day to appreciate our lives and each other is a wonder-full and remarkable thing. May it be filled with joy as you deeply appreciate the gift and blessing that each of your loved ones brings to your life.  May you open to the healing that allows in yourself, in those you love, and in all of our human family.

May all of your blessings be fully realized, appreciated, and enjoyed.

Happy Gratitude Day!

1 Comment

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  By Jon, December 3, 2009 @ 10:44 pm

  I’m thankful for you Penny.

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