February 20
Expanding our Hearts through Gratitude
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I led a private sound bath last weekend and focused the meditation on opening our heart center, the Anahata or heart chakra. Opening our heart requires courage and letting go. It’s releasing judgement we have on ourselves and others, letting go of the past and what was. This is where gratitude plays an important role in expanding the heart!
When we make decisions from the past, we lack connection to our intuition and higher level of thinking. We are creating our future based on prior experiences and outdated beliefs. Resulting in more of the same; not what we want.
We hang onto our pain as a shield protecting us from vulnerability. This is where leaning into whatever fear or judgements we have will help expand our heart space. Bringing it forward, out of resistance and into a state of surrender.
Releasing the resistance lets us to feel whatever is happening within our physical bodies without having to change it, allowing the emotion to move through us. This is an essential part of the healing process while increasing our capacity to hold space for what we need.
When our chakras (energy centers) are moving freely and spinning, the body is in harmony and balance, promoting mental, emotional, spiritual, physical wellness and vitality. When out of balance, the energy blocks create dis-ease and distress causing physical ailments and symptoms that stop us from truly living on purpose.
Why I am choosing to focus on Gratitude this month.
Since February is the month dedicated to love, I decided this month that I am focusing on gratitude. Gratitude is the gateway to unlocking the heart. While I express gratitude as much as possible, I’m called to go back to my gratitude practice, looking at every situation – positive, negative, and learning through the beautiful lens of gratitude. I noticed my focus has been on the negative instead of the light and the positive around me. This energy feels heavy weighing me down.
Here’s why my gratitude practice is important to me…
Gratitude has a multitude of positive impacts that affect mind body, and spirit. Gratitude helps me heal, enhances my relationships, reduces stress, helps with sleep, rewire the brain, and shields me from the negativity that can bring me down.
“The more you practice the art of thankfulness, the more you have to be thankful for” Norman Vincent Peale.
As I talk about A LOT – energy flows where attention goes, so whatever you focus your attention on will become powerful and magnified. By focusing on gratitude, it will help you expand on what is working, what you have, what makes you happy, and what brings you peace.
Gratitude is often considered the gateway to opening our heart.
This is because it involves acknowledging and appreciating the positive aspects of our daily lives. When we practice gratitude, we focus on the good things we have experienced or received, rather than dwelling on what is lacking or the negative.
Gratitude encourages a shift in our perspective from lack, scarcity, and low vibrational energy. This could look like always wishing, needing, and ruminating. This energy will repel the energy that you are wanting in the first place. Changing the lens to what we have; abundance and high vibrational energy. By focusing on the positive aspects of our lives, we train our minds to see through the lens of what is aligned with who we are, what fuels our fire, and the love within us and around us. For more gratitude quotes, check out this site.
“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow” ~Melody Beattie
Gratitude opens the pathway to new possibilities and opportunities.
Expressing gratitude enhances our emotional connections with ourselves and with others. Opening our hearts to vulnerability which is the pathway to deeper connection, trust, and communication. This creates a beautiful foundation for compassion and empathy.
Once our heart is open, we can begin leading from this empowering place.
Leading with the heart, as opposed to leading with ego, focuses on empathy, authenticity, and connection. Empathizing with the emotions and needs of others creates a supportive and nurturing environment which encourages others to participate in an authentic way. This is where others feel included, heard, and supported. This doesn’t mean that all boundaries are set aside. Encouraging open communication whether its seeking the truth or leaning into the discomfort of a situation, opening your heart and allowing it to flow gives you the power to speak from your highest self-expression.
When you start appreciating everything you have in your life, it will multiply.
This will help you expand your heart space and create coherence in the body. Expressing gratitude to yourself, the people in your life, strangers, and to higher being is a beautiful practice that doesn’t require anything but a few present moments to feel. I used to be a chronic worrier and overthinker which fueled my anxiety. I thought this was normal and part of who I am. With a lot of thought work and meditation, I have addressed these old ways. I am not saying I never overthink or worry, now I use this to fuel my gratitude practice. When I start to feel anxious and worry, I turn to gratitude. Sometimes it’s as simple as being grateful for this moment to breathe, be, and feel what it’s like to be on this earth – living, loving, and being part of this amazing human experience.
There are numerous ways to open the heart chakra.
Reiki is a beautiful way to welcome the lifeforce energy into mind, body, and spirit. This holistic healing modality will help you heal and nurture your highest self. For more information on how reiki can benefit you, check out this post on reiki. Treat yourself to a session of release, surrender, and pure relaxation while expanding your heart and increasing your capacity for love, empathy, and gratitude.
