A Gratitude Ritual

The beautiful gifts of gratitude begin at home
so today invite a healing to happen
in your own body
in your own consciousness
in your own loving heart
that feels blessed to be alive

Notice all the riches you’ve been given
the feet that allow you to stand
the legs that allow you to walk
the stomach that allows you to eat
the lungs that allow you to breathe
the throat that allows you to speak
the mouth that allows you to taste
the nose that allows you to smell
the eyes that allow you to see
and your beating heart
that allows you to love
Honor them all

Become present to the treasures of your life
the opportunities that you have been given
the ones that have effortlessly opened up for you this year
Reflect on your family, your kids, your partner, your friends
Look through appreciative eyes
the eyes of what’s right
the eyes of the divine
Give thanks in a way that you never have before

Allow fear, doubt, struggle and pain
to melt away in the presence of this all-loving appreciation
Thank Goddess that you have a consciousness
that is able to shift and transform in just a moment
Thank Goddess that you are courageous enough
to take a moment to bless yourself
to bless the universe
to bless all those who love and guide you
and then to bless all of the world

Send your tears of love and gratitude
to those who are in pain
to those who are alone
to those who are confused
Allow the heavenly vibration of gratitude
to puncture their fearful illusions
and open up their hearts to what is truly divine

Today, take this vow of deep self-love and gratitude
knowing that when you are in the presence of this kind of love
you – as well as all of those around you – will flourish
Take five slow deep breaths, breathing in
love, appreciation, gratitude and joy
Know that you are never alone and you will never be alone
We are all here surrounding you with love.

“The only constant is Change.” This truism has been spoken by philosophers for thousands of years. I fully believe and embrace it. What would be the alternative? Resistance. We can choose to live in flow or in friction, the energy of resistance. There are times when that energy is required to survive, but most often we feel it when we are simply resisting the flow of change.  Embracing change in our life opens the door for transformation. I want to share a ritual that I have found that helps me embrace change and transformation, and it’s perfect for this time of year.

With winter’s long nights, we have the opportunity to rest more and go inward to see what changes we choose to evolve within us and in our life. Feeling “stuck” is often the result of not releasing those ways of being that no longer serve us, thus being in resistance to the flow of change.  This is a wonderful time to take inventory, release, and clear the decks for what’s to come.  Grab your journal, and get comfortable with your favorite music, a cup of tea and do a review of the past year.

First, make a note of your wonderful and gratifying successes! What actions, beliefs, practices brought you the most joy?  What seeds of change do you see emerging?

Next, what struggles did you encounter in the past year and what did you learn from them? Consciously release any self-judgment about these struggles. Focus on the gifts that you received.

Finally, on a separate piece of paper write the disappointments you want to release. What habits or patterns no longer serve your growth? Can you see resistance and its effects in the past year?

You may want to create a ritual with your partner or family where you each do this exploration separately and then gather to share what you discover. Make it a special occasion with candles, togetherness, and even a favorite dessert. Create ground rules together about family confidentiality, lots
of loving kindness and nobody being wrong.

Share in whatever way feels best to you. One way is to first share successes, then struggles/gifts, then talk about what you each want/need to release. At the end, create a small fire and, with conscious intention, burn your list of disappointments and resistance. Then celebrate your readiness to
embrace new growth and change in your life!

Enjoy this year-end ritual as it ushers in light, hope, joy and transformation. If you have questions, please feel free to contact me at susie@womenempower.us.