Thanksgiving Every Day - The Power of Gratitude Practice for Attracting More Joy and Abundance.

"Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance." Eckhart Tolle

Gratitude practice has been proven to be a majestic antidote that disintegrates negativity while strongly and consistently associated with happiness, physical and emotional well-being, and stronger relationships. So why wait until Thanksgiving day to express your gratitude? Take action TODAY to make a daily effort to recognize your blessings and remind yourself that showing appreciation for all you already have only attracted further benefits into your life.

Here are four critical reasons for welcoming an attitude of gratitude into your life:

1. You'll be happier and more optimistic. A positive mindset allows you to be more tuned into the simpler pleasures and small miracles in life that you would have missed otherwise... When you learn to love, recognize, and be thankful for the little things, you will perceive your life to be more good than bad and start to feel more optimistic even about your future.

2. You'll find it easier to experience positive emotions, including joy. Gratitude practice increases dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain, which are key neurotransmitters that give us feelings of contentment and facilitate positive emotional experiences, including excitement, joy, and motivation.

3. You'll open doors to more joy, wealth, and abundance in your life. An ongoing focus on gratitude keeps you feeling happy and open-minded. As a result, you'll be more likely to recognize and take advantage of new opportunities and welcome each day as another chance to bring more joy to your reality, lifestyle, and future. Every time you're grateful for what you already have, you will be attracting more good things to be thankful for!

• It's perfectly normal to be grateful for what you have, yet often desire to reach for more and work towards improving your life...

4. You'll have more meaningful relationships. Numerous scientific studies have demonstrated that a gratitude practice can significantly diminish self-centeredness while fostering a mindful awareness of belonging to a greater whole and a sense of connectedness to others; when we feel grateful toward others, it motivates us to spend more time with others the essential people in our lives. When we express our gratitude to others, it is more likely to increase their positive feelings and motivate them to connect with us in return. So the benefits go both ways: when we have strong relationships, we tend to be more trusting and appreciative, motivating us to invest more in strengthening existing relationships and nurturing new ones.

Regardless of outside circumstances and any hardships we face, there is always good to be found.

Take a few minutes from your day to

focus and reflect on everything you already have and all the ways you are cared for in your daily life. Give attention to what is working and create mantras that remind you how abundant you are in the present moment, and make every day a personal day of thanksgiving!

Netsanet Tegegn, LCSW, Is a Psychotherapist in Virginia Beach who provides individualized counseling services for those who wish to create long-lasting and positive changes in their lives...