I woke up this morning and it really hit me that November is already here and I am barreling forward towards one of my favorite holidays without the mindfulness and gratitude it asks for. Because before you know it, Thanksgiving will be here and I will most likely be stuffing my face with way too much food and then it’ll be over and all I’ll left to show for it is a tummy that REALLY didn’t appreciate how much I tried to stuff into it in the name of, let’s be honest, greed.

In the Yoga Sutras, the 5th Yama is Aparigraha (non-greed) and one of the things non-greed warns us against is the suffering that follows actions rooted in the belief that we need more. Doesn’t matter whether is possessions, food, drink, money – when we don’t pause and actually allow ourselves to experience what we have, we get caught up in the belief that we need more and then we are not satisfied or nourished by either what we have or what we yearn for. Food consumed after we are full is still wasted. Experiences grabbed for when we haven’t finished processing the ones we are currently in are overwhelming and wasted. [**If you are interested in learning more about the Yamas and getting clearer about how our choices lead to suffering or peace, please join me for a week-long workshop. You can participate from anywhere and in as little as 10-min/day. More info: here**]

Gratitude is the only anti-dote. Pausing and allowing ourselves to fully take in what we already have – so fully, that we are overwhelmed with a feeling of gratitude for this perfectly imperfect journey – is the only way to live a life of joy and peace, free of the greed and grasping that naturally come in when we forget that abundance is our birthright and fear that what we have is not enough. That WE are not enough.

So this November, I choose differently. I will dedicate the rest of this month to cultivating an attitude of gratitude. Each day, I will post at least three things I am grateful for. Feel free to join me by adding yours in the comments section below, or to write your own blog posts if you feel called to do so.

Nov 4th; Day 1:

The sunshine and warm air nourishing me and inviting me to be outdoors before the hibernation of winter sets in.
The roof over my head and my big, comfy bed.
My body and my breath, which anchor me in presence when my mind tries to lose us in fear and worry.
The choice of gratitude – bringing me peace and joy and abundance. Bringing me home.

What are you grateful for today?