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Invitation to Be Grateful

Posted on October 30, 2012 by Allison Kestenbaum in News

Look around.  I invite you to consider gratitude today.

It could be as simple as asking ourselves: What are we most grateful for?

Most of the time, we are quick to think of the obvious things… my own health or family.

Or perhaps our ability to work and the opportunity to have a consistent place to live.

Consider a moment, a person, a situation from today that proved especially difficult or disengaging for you.

Can you be grateful for that moment, that person, or that situation?
Now, with that difficult moment in mind, what can you be most grateful for?

The following is taken from an online resource called Spirituality and Practice:

“…Learn the grammar of gratitude, practice saying ‘thank you’ for happy and
challenging experiences, for people, animals, things, art, memories, dreams.
Count your blessings. Utter blessings, and express your appreciation to
everything and everyone you encounter. By blessing, we are blessed.”

So now I invite you to silently say thank you to all who support you
Say thank you to those who may make your commute longer
or make your wait in line double.

May your ability to count your blessings and find gratitude,
even in challenging moments,
be a source of strength to you.

 

 

 

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About Us

Spiritual Care Services provides emotional and spiritual support for patients, their families and staff. Learn More

News and Blog Posts

  • Announcing a Time of Remembrance for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital San Francisco
  • UCSF Hosts Continuing Education Event for Spiritual Caregivers and Allies on July 16, 2018
  • Spiritual Care Services Launching No One Dies Alone (NODA) Program at UCSF
  • Midday Mindfulness at Parnassus
  • A Statement of Solidarity from Spiritual Care Services
  • UCSF Spiritual Care Services Awarded Research Literacy Curriculum Grant
  • Spiritual Care Services Speaks Up on Sustainability
  • Chaplains Publish Articles on Cancer Care and Asian American Religions
  • More Articles Published from UCSF Spiritual Care Research
  • Spiritual Care Services Sponsors Conversation with Thupten Jinpa

Seven Steps to Self-Care

  • Tip #1: Stay nourished and hydrated. If you are feeling irritated or exhausted part of the reason might be because your body needs fuel. Make sure you’re drinking water regularly and eating healthy snacks whenever you can.
  • Tip #2: Take five, slow deep breaths, inhaling through you nose and exhaling through you mouth. Try to inflate you lower lungs as you breathe. When we are under stress, we tend to take shallow breaths. Slow deep breathing will help lower your stress and enhance your mood and concentration. As you breathe, you can meditate, pray or simply enjoy a quiet mental space.
  • Tip #3: Reach out to others and feel free to ask for help when you need it. You don’t have to apologize. Remember that other people do care. Alternatively, you can contact friends who could use a call and ask them how they are doing. Sometimes supporting someone else is a good way to improve your own attitude.
  • Tip #4: If you’re worried, bring yourself back to the present. When we feel anxious, we’re preoccupied with the future. A good way to release anxiety is to stand still, move your fingers and toes, and pay attention to those sensations. While you do this action, it can help to think about someone you care about or who cares about you.
  • Tip #5: Lighten up. Let your sense of humor travel with you. Laughing increases blood flow and relaxes blood vessels. It reduces levels of cortisol, the stress hormone that increases our belly fat and makes our kidneys retain salt and water, boosting our blood pressure.
  • Tip # 6: Write down something that inspires you, that moves you, or that you’re grateful for. People who exercise their gratitude have greater peace of mind, happiness, physical health, and more satisfying personal relationships.
  • Tip #7: Talk with a chaplain – we’re always available!

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All opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not represent the official position of the University of California. The Clinical Pastoral Education program at UCSF Health is accredited for Level 1, Level 2, and Certified Educator CPE by ACPE (the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc.), One West Court Square, Suite 325, Decatur, GA 30033-2538 USA; 404-320-1472; www.acpe.edu.

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