Challenging times remind us of what’s truly important. Acknowledging our blessings lets us release the chokehold on old grudges and unmet desires, to focus instead on the joys life has provided. When we stockpile our wins, they serve as reinforcements when reserves are low. For Week 47 of 52 Love, take inventory of those blessings by harnessing the power of gratitude.
Research shows that communicating gratitude improves health and boosts happiness. Giving thanks is equally beneficial to your relationship. Connecting your spiritual gratitude as a couple can help you reach a level of tandem meditation that surpasses that of Week 18.
It’s easier to voice thanks when you’re already happy, but even if you’re struggling, sharing this expression can lift your spirits and increase your bond. Painful circumstances can ease in favor of hope. And if you and your partner do start from a place of joy, your gratitude session can raise you to new happy heights. The rest is gravy.
Gratitude starts with the heart. Even though we use our minds to remember, a thankful attitude stems from affectionate recognition. How fitting that the person you’ve given your heart to shares this experience with you. Join hands with each other and speak your gratitudes as a connected unit.
Begin with the basics. Give thanks that your level of health allows you to participate in this exercise, for the minds that guide your thoughts, and for the bodies that keep you going. As anyone who’s ever tread endless water or run a marathon can attest, it’s possible for your body to quit on you. Remind your physical selves that you appreciate the effort that sustains your very being.
Next look outside of yourselves to acknowledge the blessings all around you. Voice appreciation for loved ones: families, friends, pets. Reflect on your recent opportunities and whatever work you’re privileged to do. Give thanks for a warm place to sleep, food in your bellies, and other necessities. If you’ve required assistance in those areas, now’s the time to speak gratitude for those who helped keep you afloat. If you’ve managed on your own, give thanks for that and for the abundance to help others.
Once you’ve recognized the blessings outside of your partner, shift your focus to one another. Often, the time and energy invested toward a successful relationship can go unnoticed. Spoken gratitude protects couples from the toxic effects of conflict, from the external stressors that can tear people apart. Your partnership means a built-in companion during troubling times and a cheerleader to celebrate successes. Share your appreciation for your partner’s contribution to your life by exchanging one to three ways your life benefits from each other’s presence.
Articulate why you love your partner, the ways she makes you feel appreciated, the things you’ve learned from her, the times she made you smile. Then truly listen to how you benefit her, the blessings you’ve gifted, and the reasons she loves you.
Once each of you has spoken, maintain the connection within each other’s arms. Embrace that state of peace and contentment. Bask in the glow of the blessings from your life together, the year you’ve shared, the moments you now preserve. Allow these reminders to flow through you as a dynamic vibrational experience that elevates your awareness of your past blessings and opens you to a more fulfilling future together.
If you try this intimacy tip or have a better recommendation, let me know in the comments. For weekly suggestions on how to show your partner love, sign up for my blog, 52 Love, in the sidebar.
