The Thankful Bouquet
I love Thanksgiving and I love flowers. Tulips are my favorite.
Many years ago, during a challenging season of life, I secretly prayed and longed for a bouquet of flowers. I went about my day doing the grocery shopping and came out to my car and found a perfectly wrapped bouquet of yellow tulips on the ground in front of my driver’s side door! I looked around to see if anyone noticed or accidently dropped them. I waited a few minutes and finally decided it was an answer to my prayer. Tearfully, I picked up the bouquet and offered up a “thank you.”
My positive psychology training planted seeds of truth in regard to the practice of gratitude and the science supporting the intervention. I also have been drawn to the thankfulness of life through my struggle with infertility and the birth of my quadruplets. I learned not to take anything for granted. I learned the practice of gratitude increases well-being, boost immunity and guards against comparison.
I was so passionate about it, I published a book, Savor the Day, for my final project. It is a journal to inspire gratitude and savoring in daily life.
Every year, I present gratitude traditions to our Thanksgiving holiday celebration and savor every minute.
This year, I am adding one for personal practice.
It is called the thankful bouquet.
As I go through the day, I will look for tiny treasures strategically placed along my way. I will look carefully for them, and pluck them one by one.
Maybe it is a hot cup of coffee first thing in the morning, or a loving word from a friend or family member. Maybe it is sleeping soundly or watching the sunrise. Maybe it is peace in my heart. Maybe it is safe travel and joy in the process. Or a smile to someone who appears sad or lonely.
The types of “flowers” are endless. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors. I just have to be aware and open. With each one I can express gratitude. And at the end of the day I will have gathered a lovely thankful bouquet. I will sleep peacefully with thankful thoughts flooding my heart and mind.
A simple and powerful practice for this beautiful holiday.
Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift.
2 Corinthians 9:15
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