Image by Lucas Vieira

InnerSelf's Daily Inspiration

May 28, 2024


The focus for today is:

I am willing to recognize the favorable things that are blessing me.

Today's inspiration was written by Steven Washington:

When we focus most of our thoughts and energy on what we consider to be wrong, we miss the fertile opportunity to recognize what favorable things are simultaneously blessing us.

An author and professor of psychology at the University of California at Davis, Robert Emmons has done extensive research on gratitude. He states, "The practice of gratitude can have dramatic and lasting effects in a person’s life.” He has found that practicing gratitude has positive effects on our body, mind, and social connections; it improves our health and well-being in numerous measurable and immeasurable ways. Some benefits are stronger immune systems, lower blood pres­sure, more feelings of joy, and a greater sense of social connec­tion, among many others. 

Choosing gratitude can have an enormous impact on our lives. We have nothing to lose and much to gain by turning our attention to the positive aspects of life.

CONTINUE READING:
Today's inspiration was adapted from the InnerSelf.com article:
     Rewiring Your Brain with Gratitude
     Written by Steven Washington.
Read the complete article here.

This is Marie T. Russell, co-publisher of InnerSelf.com, wishing you a day of choosing gratitude (today and every day)

Comment from Marie:
As I have said, and written, numerous times, everything is a choice. We choose to be happy -- or not. And that's not just me saying that -- even Abraham Lincoln is quoted to have said: "Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be." Happiness is not based on exterior things, but on interior attitudes. That is why a poor person might be happy, while a multi-millionaire might not. And gratitude is one of the choices that leads us to experiencing happiness. Let's choose gratitude for things big and small.

Our focus for today: I am willing to recognize the favorable things that are blessing me.

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RELATED BOOK: Recovering You

Recovering You: Soul Care and Mindful Movement for Overcoming Addiction
by Steven Washington

Steven Washington shares his story of growing up around alcoholism and going into recovery for his own drug and alcohol addiction. But the heart and soul of this book is his process of guiding readers through fear, shame, and regret and into community and gratitude. Self-massage, breathing, meditation, and, uniquely, a focus on qigong — the ancient movement practice at the heart of Chinese medicine and Taoist philosophy — liberate, energize, and soothe.

For more info and/or to order this book, click hereAlso available as an Audiobook and as a Kindle edition.

About the Author

photo of Steven WashingtonSteven Washington is the author of Recovering You: Soul Care and Mindful Movement for Overcoming Addiction. As a former professional dancer who performed on Broadway in Disney’s The Lion King, his love of movement inspired him to become the highly acclaimed Qigong and Pilates teacher that he is today. 

Steven lives a joyful life of recovery and is passionate about helping others as they navigate towards health and happiness.     He offers Qigong, Pilates, Dance, Meditation, Laughter, and more through his website.   Visit him online at StevenWashingtonExperience.com