Hello there,

Let’s talk about gratitude.

Did you know that scientific studies have shown that gratitude is associated with better health, greater happiness and increased optimism? It can also improve your enthusiasm and increase your energy—and the best side effect of all—it creates more to be grateful for.

But I bet you didn’t know that feeling grateful also brings you closer to me?

Oh, not the “gratitude” that is simply a checklist of: “I’m grateful for my family, my friends, my health, having a job, etc.”

Gratitude that begins with, “I’m grateful for my husband,” but continues to “I’m truly blessed to have a husband who loves me so deeply, and shows me in little and big ways, every single day of the year—like during that freezing cold night last week when he put a heating pad on my side of the bed to warm it up before I got in it.”

Or gratitude that begins like, “I’m grateful for my job,” but continues to “I feel thankful (to the point of tears sometimes), when I think about getting paid for doing something I really enjoy, working with people who have also become friends, whom I respect and have fun with, dealing with clients who are interesting and make me laugh, in an atmosphere of (mostly) fin and positivity, and in a peaceful and attractive office.”

Why is detail so important to gratitude? Because it ignites your emotions.

As your mind recalls the details of something you are thankful for, your heart overflows with the feelings of love, appreciation and yes, gratitude.

And the stronger the gratitude, the stronger the impact of the gratitude—the more you come alive with joy, passion, and enthusiasm (read spirit) in your life.

So Friend, this week, don’t just be grateful, be deeply, intimately and sensuously grateful!

With bottomless love for you,

Your Spirit