We hear a lot of people talk about gratitude.

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Especially around holidays.

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Yet sometimes it can be difficult to feel appreciation.

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For we often forget one important part.

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And that is learning to be good to ourselves first.

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For when we practice self-care, it is much easier to feel grateful.

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When we do the things we want to do take care of ourselves, it shifts our mood.

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Perhaps we start exercising, or treat ourselves to a massage.

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Maybe we spend some time in nature.

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Or we just spend some time with ourselves in silence.

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Whatever it is that we do that meets our needs is essential for gratitude.

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For when we are taking care of ourselves we feel better.

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Our view of the world and of life shifts.

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We become more positive.

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Our whole nervous system relaxes and opens.

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And that new place of openness and peace, we more naturally enjoy life.

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Enjoying life is the key to being grateful.

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For how can we be grateful when we are angry, upset or depressed?

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Yet when we having a nice dinner with a loved one, or a conversation with an old friend, gratitude naturally bubbles up.

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When we are pampering and treating ourselves to something fun and soothing, we appreciate the moment.

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And when we are appreciating more and more moments, true gratitude wells up inside us.

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All we have to do at that point is just be present to how we are feeling.

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For we have tapped in to that place inside of us that is always there, yet we often don't see.

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It is that river of gratitude that runs underneath everything else.

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We dip our toes in it every now and then.

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And the surest way to get there is just be good to ourselves.

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So what can you do to be good to yourself just a little more?

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Notice how being good to yourself brings in more gratitude for your life.

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~ Sam Liebowitz, The Conscious Consultant