My awareness is aligned with the creative power of the universe.

Practicing gratitude is a familiar theme in my classes. You'll hear me offer an opportunity to express your own personal gratitude for thoughts that come from your heart and mind, and lift them up either in a prayer or thought. Practicing gratitude daily makes you happier. Becoming aware of your blessings and recognizing them, acknowledging them, lifting up your spirit in thankfulness makes your mood lift, but did you know that it also makes your mind healthier?

There is a mind-body connection. Gratitude is much more than an attitude or mood – it is a powerful positive input to our mind-body system that leads to increased physical and psychological well-being.

Grateful thoughts and meditative states don’t just stay in your mind. Messenger molecules instantly transmit their effects to the body’s 100 trillion cells, creating new brain cells and new pathways and brain patterns. The practice of gratitude has even been found to change our gene expression in a positive direction.

By directing our awareness toward gratitude, our entire mind-body system is automatically oriented toward greater health and balance. (source: chopracentermeditation.com)

We are likely familiar or at least aware of the 23rd Psalm. In this beautiful poem by King David of Israel, he expresses a universal gratitude for the protection and love of the LORD.

PSALM 23: SO MUCH TO BE GRATEFUL FOR

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

David grew up as a shepherd, and he loved the metaphor of God being a shepherd who cares for his sheep (us). A shepherd's job was to help keep the sheep nourished, safe, calm, and happy.

"It’s no surprise that this is one of the most recognized passages in all the scriptures. It’s beautiful, poetic, and comforting. It’s also a powerful reflection on God’s goodness.

Psalm 23 identifies many wonderful elements of God’s care that we might normally take for granted—or fail to recognize. David recognizes elements like God’s provision (I shall not want), spiritual renewal (he restores my soul), his discipline (your rod and staff, they comfort me), and his protection (you prepare me a table in the presence of my enemies).

We’re often tempted to take credit for precious moments of comfort, care, tranquility, and victory in our lives, but it’s important to recognize the loving hand of God’s providence in our lives." (source: Jayson D. Bradley is a writer and pastor in Bellingham, WA. He’s a regular contributor to Relevant Magazine, and his blog JaysonDBradley.com has been voted one of the 25 Christian blogs you should be reading.)

This loving care is signaling to our hearts like a lighthouse to a sailor on the sea, saying come safely this way, avoid these areas, be drawn to the light. Be thankful. Be grateful. Whatever it is that your heart and mind signal to you, those things or people for whom you are grateful, practice gratitude. Let it be a blessing to your mind and body and soul.

Om shanti (peace). Namaste.