“I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.”— Henry David Thoreau

Sometimes the key to happiness is simply remembering the goodness in your life—and opening your mind and heart to receive the cornucopia of life’s blessings.  Reflecting and gathering the blessings in your life can reconnect you with the bountiful harvest of daily miracles.  You just have to remember to pause every now and then to slow down and look.

Creating Your Cornucopia

A cornucopia can be defined in a variety of ways, but often refers to a “horn of plenty” or an abundance of good things. Given that we each have different values and priorities, our individual cornucopias may look a little different.  The idea here with the upcoming list of inspiration is to let it serve as a catalyst to remind you of the goodness in life.  Pick and choose what you’d like to include in your metaphorical cornucopia.  Consider it the basket of blessings that you carry with you inside wherever you may go.

The Gift of Gratitude

Remembering the goodness in life opens the door to practicing gratitude. Practicing gratitude, researchers have shown, can not only boost our mood but can also bring significant physiological benefits, such as lowering blood pressure, improving heart health, supporting sleep and relaxation, and reducing stress and anxiety. Reflecting on the goodness in life by recognizing the daily cornucopia of blessings is a perfect way to receive the gifts of gratitude, not just at the seasonal time of harvest, but throughout the year!

Appreciating the Basics

It’s incredibly easy to drift into an autopilot version of life where we take the basic gifts of life for granted.  However, all it takes is a power outage or a glitch in the supply chain to remind us of how dramatically different daily life can feel without some of the basics.

• The Blessing of Food

Whether your pantry or fridge is stocked with a variety of your favorite foods or if you’re relying on donations from a food bank or shelter or anything in between, the nourishment of food is something we all rely on. With all the options of various brands and variations of low-salt, low-sugar, sugar-free, organic, and more, it’s easy to get picky about our food and completely bypass gratitude for having something available to eat.  This week try saying a silent “thank you” each time you take a bite.

• The Blessing of Water

If you’re used to turning on the faucet and having water pour forth on a regular basis, it can be hard to imagine not having access to water.  Not only is having clean water to drink a vital necessity, running water also gives us the convenience of being able to have toilets that flush without hauling heavy buckets of water over long distances.  Water also gives us the gift of soothing baths and refreshing showers, not to mention the ability to wash clothes, dishes, and more. For just one day, try measuring how much water you use for various functions—and before you know it you’ll have a renewed appreciation for what an enormous blessing water truly is.

• The Blessing of Shelter

Having a roof over our head may not seem like such a big deal—until, of course, hurricane-force winds or rains appear or a blizzard moves in.  Shelter not only provides us with protection from the elements but also can provide a sense of safety, security, and identity.  Beyond the basics of a floor, four walls, windows, and a roof, consider, too, the immense comfort that being able to sit on your favorite chair or couch brings, along with the joy of looking at your own personalized décor. Today, imagine that you can’t look forward to sleeping in your bed at the end of the day.  Imagine also that you need to carry your possessions with you everywhere you go because you don’t have a place to call your own. Then, as you unlock your front door and step in, pause for a moment to say, simply, “Thank you.”

• The Blessing of Sunlight

Not only does a healthy amount of sunshine provide us with the nourishment of Vitamin D, sunlight also makes it possible for crops to grow.  Where would we be, for instance, without fresh vegetables and fruits? Consider, too, how sunlight allows us to see without the support of candles, flashlights, or other lights.  Think also about the powerful natural resource of solar energy, as well as the burst of cheer that comes with the sun begins to peek out from behind the clouds after days of rain.  With the sun rising day after day on cue, it’s easy to forget that its very presence is a tremendous gift.  Today, pause at least once, to lift your gaze upward and revel in the luminous rays.

• The Blessing of Nature

Given the omnipresence of nature, from the sky all around us to the ground beneath our feet, it’s easy to forget that nature is a blessing.  Imagine, for instance, a world devoid of the wonders of nature: trees, flowers, and birds.  Nature’s colors alone bring so much delight, not to mention the fragrances of flowers, the shade of trees, and the melodies of birds.  And did you know that researchers have found that being in nature, as long as you are in a setting where you feel safe, has been shown to reduce blood pressure and anxiety, along with boosting mood, the immune system, and self-esteem?  As you walk outside today, take a few moments to count the blessings of natural objects in your environment and the peaceful quality they bring.

• The Blessing of Family

Often the people that we are most prone to take for granted are those that we have known the longest—our family.  Whatever form your family takes, recognize them as people who have had a significant influence on you.  Regardless of your relationship with your father and mother, keep in mind that your existence in this world is a profound gift from them. Maybe your family members live nearby—perhaps as close as under the same roof—or maybe they live far away.  Think about how often you talk with them—and how often you have heart-to-heart conversations.  Maybe today is the day to reach out and express to one of your family members how much you truly appreciate them, complete with specific examples of why you’re so grateful to them.

• The Blessing of Rest 

If you’re in the habit of simply closing your eyes at night and having them open upon hearing the sound of your alarm, then the nourishment of replenishing sleep can seem like a given.  However, for many, insomnia takes the place of sleep.  Further, many people are working so hard and have so many responsibilities on their plate that they don’t have time to sit down to take a break and rest during the day, even for short periods of time.  Resting not only renews the body, it also recharges the mind and boosts the spirit. As you pause today to rest, even for a few minutes, embrace the experience for what it is: a profound blessing.

• The Blessing of the Breath

When you stop to think about it, the body’s many diverse and dedicated physiological processes are truly impressive.  Do we have to think about breathing?  No.  Do we have to tell our heart to beat?  No.  Do we need to remind our immune cells about their essential tasks? No.  The symphony of the human body is exquisite.  The breath, in particular, is often called a life force and is our gateway not only to surviving but also offers us a soothing rhythm if we just take time to pay attention to the incoming flow of the inhale and the outgoing flow of the exhale.  Ancient yogis and modern researchers alike have found that by taking slower, deeper breaths, we can regulate our body, mind, and emotions. Take a full minute (or more!) today to close your eyes and turn your attention to your breath, appreciating the rhythm of this life-giving blessing.

The gifts of this life, even at the most basic levels, are immense.  Turning your attention to them even briefly can anchor you into a spirit of gratitude and positivity.  This positive mindset can be an invaluable buffer against the vicissitudes of life and the super-sized challenges that can come hurtling toward us on any given day. All it takes is a commitment on your part to tap into the cornucopia of blessings on a regular basis.

Ready to take your health and happiness to the next level?

Don’t forget to also check out Part 2 of this blog as we travel beyond the basics to explore the “bonus blessings” in life.