2. FROM STRESS TO SERENITY: Gratitude is the key to abundance

The Gratitude Effect: 

How a Simple Shift in Perspective Can Open the Floodgates to Abundance

In the midst of financial stress and worries about your future security, finding a way to thrive in turbulent times may seem like an impossible task. However, there's a proven method that can help you navigate these challenges with grace and resilience: gratitude. By incorporating a daily gratitude practice into your life, you can nurture joy, fulfilment and happiness in all areas of your life and underpin each with a foundation of financial security. 

The Power of Gratitude

Gratitude is more than just a feel-good emotion—it's a tested method for reducing financial stress and improving overall well-being. Countless studies have shown that practicing gratitude daily can lower anxiety levels, increase resilience, and improve overall mental health. By focusing on the blessings in your life, no matter how small, you can shift your perspective from austerity to abundance.

The Gratitude Ritual 

(Shsh... here's the secret: it's the easiest way to activate Gratitude )

One of the best ways to incorporate gratitude into your daily routine is through a personal gratitude ritual. One of the most powerful tools in my gratitude journey is my morning ritual. After greeting the day facing my Butsudan chanting Sansho (‘Nam Myoho renge kyo’ three times) I take a few moments to reflect on what I'm grateful for, jotting down three things on sticky notes and keeping them in my treasure chest to remind me when I’m feeling a tad negative. ‘San’ means three. Buddhist’s chant daimoku (NamMyhoRengeKyo) three times to give thanks for our physical body (we need a healthy body to thrive), our heart and mind (we need spiritual/ psychological health to thrive), and we give thanks for material support (money and physical protection). In other words, we are thanking life itself for protecting and supporting us and offering us good fortune. The function of life is to support life itself. In this way it is impossible for you not to be supported. Take a moment to open up and accept a cornucopia of abundance. 

This idea is no secret.The practice of chanting a gratitude mantra three times is not exclusive to Buddhism. If you practice yoga or have family in India you will know that Hindus chant Om Shanti or ‘Om’ (sound invoking the universe) three times for ‘peace in our body, mind and spirit’. We can also stretch the time frame of our gratitude out to encompass past, present, and future.

This daily practice enables me to thrive in turbulent times. With that in mind I would like to thank my soul sister Talitha Tallet for encouraging me to ‘start chanting again’. Tali runs the Hen and Chicks pub in Baldock (UK), using her time to create the most wonderful garden space. I have known her 35 years and always she has mastered the art of compassion by creating safe spaces for people when they need it most. If you find yourself in North Herts, England, UK, and you're looking for a friendly gig, a sage garden, or a place you can visit with your dog check it out.

Reflecting on gratitude sets the tone for my day, reminding me of the support and abundance that surrounds me. Heartfelt gratitude is the most effective method I have found to overcome depression and austerity. Nurturing gratitude fortifies a positive mindset, reduces stress, and increases feelings of happiness and contentment. 

The Science of Gratitude

Research evidence has proven that nurturing gratitude fortifies a positive mindset, reduces stress, and increase feelings of happiness and contentment. A white paper prepared for the John Templeton Foundation, written by Summer Allen, Ph.D. (May 2018) investigates the social and individual benefits of gratitude interventions in the classroom and workplace. You can read it for FREE here:

Invest in a Gratitude Journal 

By incorporating a gratitude ritual into your daily schedule, you will find a compass of stability with which to navigate these turbulent times with grace and resilience. I encourage you to give it a try and experience the transformative power of gratitude today. But don’t just take it from me (I didn’t invent this ‘Secret’). This beautiful journal, by Rhonda Byrne, author of the phenomenal best seller 'The Secret', is full of passionate and wise affirmations and insights to bring you joy and harmony to every aspect of of your life. lives. As we journey together from stress to serenity you might want to keep a personal record of your soul journey. This would be perfect: it's beautifully designed journal, with a magnetic flap closer and a ribbon marker, to remind you how far you've travelled.

Another way of expressing gratitude is writing a ‘Gratitude’ letter to people whom one has never properly thanked (“gratitude letters”). These can be posted or offered to the universe in ritual. 

The Green Lotus Lounge:  a safe space for exploring gratitude.

In the Green Lotus Lounge, we take this experience one step further by offering space for you to transform your gratitude letter. Look out for our incense blending workshops: a safe space for you to learn incense making and empower your gratitude by offering it aromatically up to the universe. Look out for our online training and face to face workshops on Eventbrite today.

Remember: ‘Thank you’ is good. Show your gratitude today.