“Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.” – Henri Frederic Amiel
This past Thursday was Thanksgiving here in the U.S., and a time when many of us take a moment to reflect on the many blessings in our lives. This year our celebrations were different, smaller and perhaps connecting through Zoom, as we continue to cautiously walk through the uncertainty of the pandemic. In times like these, it’s even more important to focus on the good things around us!
As Animal Reiki practitioners, the precepts provide a daily reminder to “be grateful.” These wise words are worth re-visiting often, as I’ve noticed in my own life, it seems gratitude is much easier to stay mindful of when I practice it regularly. Our daily meditation practice helps us uncover all the ways animals bless us, teach us and bring positivity to our lives and the world.
There are many wonderful practices to nurture the state of “being gratitude” in our lives, such a keeping a daily gratitude journal or practicing a gratitude meditation with the animals you love. However, as with all the teachings of Reiki, they are much more powerful when we truly live the values we strive to embody in our practice. How do we truly embody gratitude? Take grateful action!
Here are some ways to take grateful action for animals not only on Thanksgiving (but also every day!):
For your animal family:
Take your dog for a walk at his favorite place. HERE’S a great article with 21 fun things to do with your dog.
Spend time playing with your cat and her favorite toy. CLICK HERE for a ton of ideas for playing with your cat.
Create a delicious bran mash with carrots and apples for your horse. HERE’S an article on the benefits of bran mash.
For all animals in your community on this planet:
Volunteer for rescued animals. Contact your local shelter or sanctuary and find out how you can support them in their mission. HERE’S a beautiful article by my student Carolyn Trethewey to help inspire you to volunteer today!
Introduce animal-friendly recipes by discovering the deliciousness of a plant-based diet. HERE’S an awesome snack board I discovered last Thanksgiving that I made again this year.
Make the shift to using cruelty-free cosmetics. Thrive is one of my favorites!
Taking daily action in your life for animals, the ones you know and the ones you don’t, in big ways and even in small ones, will bring the concept of gratitude and the Reiki practice of “being grateful” to life. Have you seen this inspiring interview with Jane Goodall about the importance of taking action for the animals and the planet?
There are so many ways we can take action now! The more we find ways to act on the gratitude we practice in our Animal Reiki meditation, the deeper happiness we’ll be able to uncover and the more positive impact we can have on the world, for animals!
Hope you all had a healthy and safe Thanksgiving, filled with gratitude and love 🙂
Now it’s your turn: I’d love to hear how you take grateful action for animals!
Stay safe, be well and may the animals light your way,
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