Gifts

From ancient seekers to current TV hosts, humans have used gratitude to feel better about their lives.  When we are grateful, we relax.  Hope, enthusiasm, well-being and peace can then overcome the negative emotions.  Many practices like gratitude journals, gratitude rocks, affirmations, daily meditations of gratefulness, greeting cards and prayers all help us to get perspective on our lives and feel better about how we’re living each moment.

These gratitude beads work when you don’t have time to pick up a book or a pen or listen to a CD.  So, when you’re feeling angry, sad, pitiful, lonely, aggravated with the world, or generally unappreciated, try using these lovely beads to change your life.

Just hold each bead on the strand in your fingers for a few seconds and give thanks for 10 things in your life that you are grateful for.  For example, your sense of humor, your job that pays the bills, your talents, your children that make you smile, your spouse who loves you even on days like this, or the friend you give this to when you want to let them know how grateful you are for all the kind things they do for you.

The coins at the ends of some of these strands were made into pendants by Afghan refugees in Pakistan after they fled the Taliban and their currency became worthless.  Perhaps being grateful for living in this country might take up one bead.  Other strands have sterling silver or pewter charms at the ends with symbols that might trigger a grateful response in you.  Some have beads thought to have special healing qualities.  Other strands have metal charms called Milagros (miracles) from Mexico which are thought to be spiritual tokens sometimes used to express thanks to the divine for specific blessings received.

Put the strand in your purse or pocket, in the car, by the phone, in the bathroom, wherever it’s handy throughout the day.  You’ll notice how quickly “bummed out” will change to “warm and fuzzy” for you or someone you give these to.