INTENTIONAL GRATITUDE

Research shows that practicing intentional gratitude affects your physical, mental, and spiritual health in a positive way. Physically, blood pressure may decrease, immune function will be stronger, quality of sleep is better, and blood glucose and cortisol levels may decrease. There is a reduced risk of mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and even substance abuse disorders. Spiritually, gratitude strengthens faith, it may lead to practicing other spiritual disciplines, and it fosters humility and self-restraint—by expressing thanks to God, we are acknowledging that many things were given freely to us–we did not earn them. We find that we focus on what we already have—rather than dwell on what we want or think we need. This month, every day at a time that works well for you, use the calendar on the back to list three (or more!) things that you are grateful for—three things that were good about the day. Writing the thoughts down, rather than just thinking about them, will actually make them more meaningful & memorable. As you write your list, express thanks to God, and meditate on or pray about things you name. Now is the perfect time to begin cultivating a spirit of gratitude and thankfulness!
“To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything He has given us — and He has given us everything.
Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace,
for it brings with it immense graces from Him.” –Thomas Merton

 See the Link Below to the November 2025 Parish Nurse News for printable copy of a Gratitude Calendar provided by the Parish Nurse Ministry.