How Owning Your Gratitude Shapes Your Growth

As we enter November, it's an excellent moment to focus on the power of gratitude. This is more than just giving thanks; it is about fully owning your gratitude and embracing it as an active, mindful practice that may change how you interact with yourself and the world around you.

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As a psychotherapist, I frequently witness how gratitude can be a foundation for healing. It's easy to become caught in the day-to-day grind, focusing on what's lacking or going wrong. However, something changes when we intentionally shift our focus to what we are grateful for. We reconnect with what already works in our lives, which promotes a sense of stability and peace.

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Owning gratitude entails going beyond a mere "thank you." It's about sitting with the things that bring you happiness, satisfaction, and even periods of challenge and allowing yourself to absorb the lessons they provide fully. We may underestimate our strengths or forget the support systems we've created. Yet when we pause and reflect, gratitude tells us that we are resilient, capable, and never truly alone.

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This November, I ask you to begin each day by acknowledging three things you are grateful for, big or small. It could be the comfort of a cup of coffee, the laughter of a friend, or the opportunity to learn from a painful event. As you do so, consider how this simple practice can change your energy and open your heart.

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In this season of wealth and giving, let us remember that thankfulness is not a passive act. It's an empowering decision. When owning your gratitude, you gain power over how you connect to the world around you, making room for joy, growth, and self-compassion.

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Own your gratitude; it's a gift to yourself.