Hello my friends,
I hope you are having an awesome day thus far.
It’s Thanksgiving week here in the US and it is by far my favorite holiday! An opportunity to slow it down, gather round and give thanks.
But it is easy to forget to slow down and keep easy about the gathering part. It is also easy to miss the magical power of gratitude, if you are not careful.
This holiday also kicks off “the holiday season” with Hanukkah next - and before you know it . . . it’s a Charlie Brown Christmas.
Whether you celebrate these holidays or not I think we can all benefit from re-thinking our thinking patterns and refocusing on rituals that make us feel good. And each time the season changes it is a new and grand opportunity to do just that.
I attended a beautiful service last week for a very loving man who passed last Monday morning. At the gathering the pastor enraptured and spoke to us about certain kinds of people in this world. He suggested that there are two kinds of people in this world. Givers and Takers. The man we were gathered to respect, celebrate and remember was a giver.
This got me thinking. If I am lucky enough to lead a long, real and rich life such as this sweet man did – what will my banner read when I go? What will my story be?
Will my friends and family remember me as a giver or a taker?
Read the last sentence in a thick Texan accent for the ultimate effect.
I am always encouraging others to take time. Take time for yourself. Take time for your practice. Make it happen.
However, the art of giving is also an act of self-love. It is in the giving that we find ultimate joy and self-respect. It is in the giving that we interact and share in good things. We find a sense of humbleness and joy that is sometimes the perfect medicine for whatever ails – the perfect gift.
So, as we kick off the holiday season (or for you it may just be embracing the season) I am proposing that we keep it simple and focus on the two big G’s.
Be a Giver
Be Grateful
Set your intentions and let’s connect and support each other as we get inundated with a somewhat commercial time of year.
Let’s keep it real and try to keep it simple.
In the coming weeks, I invite you to focus on the two big G’s.
Focus on them in your yoga practice so that we can stay present with them off the mat. Cook with love and live by example. Let's share the power of the two G's with our children and with strangers.
Here is a video about starting a simple gratitude practice.
I invite you to share three things you are grateful for down below!
I am so grateful for this group, for this community – I could cry.
I am grateful for my body - for the power of healing and the power of the unknown.
I am grateful for the people in my life. Past and present. All the love, bravery and realness.
Seasons Greetings to you my friends. Thank you.
With Love,
Adriene
I am grateful for my aunt who takes such good care for my sick father.
I am grateful for the sweetest boyfriend in the world.
I am grateful for myself: being who I am, loving who I am.
I'm so grateful for the 40 minutes beginning yoga. Adrienne you are blessed.
If we take care of ourself first , love will go back to our friends, family and other people that we meet. Thank you for your practice
I am grateful for the opportunity to work hard and be recognized for it.
I am grateful for friends and family that love me despite my best attempts.
I am grateful for the world out there that I haven't yet experienced, left to enjoy.
I am grateful for my husband, for my dog and all the sunny days.
I am grateful for living in beautiful Sedona Az!
I am grateful my boys have grown up to be kind and thoughtful.
I am grateful for a strong body.
I am Canadian but the two G's can be applied any time I'm sure.
I am grateful for my family and their unfailing love and support.
I am grateful for yoga and the Internet, which affords me connection with a powerful, like-minded, community that I have always desired. 🙂 it keep me pure and well.
And, I am grateful for my weaknesses, and the wisdom that comes from harnessing that vulnerability (gasp, I can't believe I just wrote that).
Xoxoxo
1. I am grateful for my body that allows so me to do so many things that feel good.
2. I am grateful for my wife and kids that fill my heart with so much love.
3. I am grateful for Yoga with Adriene online so I can keep practicing my stiff guy yoga in my home and not get embarrassed.
Have a great Thanksgiving everyone.
I am grateful for your videos being my introduction to yoga!
I am grateful for being able to drive and go wherever I want, not having to rely on anyone else.
And for course I am grateful for my friends and family who stick around even when I don't like myself very much!
I am grateful for the internet that allows us to connect to generous, inspiring people such as Adriene and her community
I am grateful for my awareness, my ability to question and embrace
I am grateful for my health & the safe, abundant environment I live in
I send my love and gratitude to each and everyone of you.
1. I am grateful for a healthy body.
2. I am grateful for a happy soul.
3. I am grateful for the multitude of little things that make my life so lovely.
I am grateful for my loving, supportive husband and two amazing children. I am grateful for health and inner strength. And I am grateful for the love and mystery in this world.
Happy Holidays!!!
I am grateful for my beautiful family.
I am grateful for my health.
I am grateful for some recent self discovery that has been meaningful for me.
I am grateful for all of my family and friends, past, present and those I may connect with in the 'future'.
I am grateful for the moments that change us but can't quite be explained.
I am grateful to be alive with the universe.
I have discovered that taking care of myself allows me to take better care of those around me. I have more to give when I am healthy, rested, and happy.
I am grateful for my health.
I am grateful for my sweet, kind, supportive husband.
I am grateful for my family.
Everything else is gravy.
I am grateful for my two children who make me smile as only children can make a father smile.
I am grateful for my parents, for being 'dads taxi' and being there not only when asked for but more importantly when needed and unasked for.
I am grateful for my wife who keeps everything running smooth(ish)ly, is a strong mother and selflessly rarely taking time for herself as I work away from home, devoting life to our children.
I am grateful for pen and paper, colored pencils, and bristol board.
I am grateful for the snow that sparkles in the moonlight.
I am grateful for fairies!
I am grateful for the time, space, and healthy body to practice yoga!
I am grateful for my vast network of friends, near and far, who always keep me inspired.
I am grateful for my open heart and mind!
I am grateful for
- my family (all four generations of us)
- my friends who are valuable and varied
- 2 Texan gifts (Adrienne's yoga videos and Dr Brene Brown's course & books)
Happy winter-time x
I am grateful for yoga and the strength that it has given me
I am grateful for my puppy. She is constantly keeping me in the present moment
I am grateful for my family
Im grateful for that my leg is getting better every day. I´m grateful for my friends that do care about me and I´m grateful for you Adriene :)
I am greatful for the unconditional love I receive from friends and family.
I am greatful for opportunities to grow and MAN am I greatful for finding adriene's videos on youtube, which help me to deal with stress and pain.
I'm Canadian, so we've had our Thanksgiving already, but it's nice to slow down and give thanks at any time; it's also nice to share in others' holidays 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving to all of you celebrating!
1) I am grateful for my husband, and the fact that he is my husband (we were just married this year). He is amazing and we are fortunate that we are able to celebrate our love in a formal, public ceremony, when that opportunity is not available to everyone everywhere.
2) I am grateful to have been able to take the time I need to figure out where I want to go from here, what I want to do, who I want to be, the life I want to create (and for the time that I know I will take in the future).
3) Lastly, and this is the hard one, I am grateful to myself. I think it's hard one because you think people are going to think your selfish or something for saying that, but it's necessary to be grateful for yourself, and to love yourself. I am, as a whole, so much more healthy than I was before and I attribute that to the process of learning to love myself, and I am grateful I started that journey. I have had so much good come from that.
1. I am greatfull for my lovely family and friends, who make my life full of love and support.
2. I am greatfull to be a mom and hopefully help guide two beautiful little people in life.
3. I am greatfull for being healty and feeling beter about myself than i did a year ago. Discovering yoga with adriene was a BIG part of that journey, so thank you Adriene!
Happy thanks giving,
Bernadette
- I'm gratefull for my lovely little boy who gives such a meaning to my life.
- I'm gratefull for my familly and friends who are all good people.
-I'm gratefull for my wonderfull Yoga teatcher: you Adrienne are Such a GIVER!
Love!
I am grateful for my family, my country and finding this website! Happy Thanksgiving 🙂
I am grateful that i have discovered Yoga practice with Adriene .... perfect!
I am grateful for my 3 children and long-suffering husband.
I am grateful for my job as a nurse & the opportunities I have to care for others. Keeps me grounded!!!
1. My beautiful family.
2. My previous friends.
3. Discovering Adriene after yoga was recommended. My gratitude to you ❤️
Oops, my PRECIOUS FRIENDS
I´m grateful for this very moment.
I´m grateful to know where ever I may be, the sun is always shining, even if I don´t see it.
I´m grateful that I´m able to experience an incredible journey called life.
(sorry if my English sounds crude, I´m a non-native speaker)
I am grateful for so very much that I could not possibly list it all. I am thankful just for waking up each morning. God has blessed me with a wonderful husband and four healthy children. I am able to practice my yoga, to take care of myself.
We should be grateful every day for what we have, not just one day a year. My prayer is that we all can find something to be thankful for every day, even if it is just something small.
Have a blessed holiday season yogis!
I am grateful for the considerate, thoughtful, respectful, loving husband God gave me after 3 failed marriages. I am grateful that my 3 children are growing up healthy and happy. I am grateful for the UP band which is encouraging me to do yoga, stick with water aerobics, eat less, manage a healthy lifestyle to the point that I've lost 16 lbs!!
Happy Thanksgiving everybody!!! 🙂
I am grateful for positive and unexpected letters of encouragement and reflection.
I am grateful for all these wonderful videos that Adriene bestows upon us.
I am grateful to live a life with spare timeml to marvel at all the wonders of the universe.
I am grateful for my feet for they allow me to do so many things I enjoy. I am grateful for the peeps and animals in my life for without them my heart would be empty. I am grateful for the outdoors and nature for it feeds my spiritual side and allows me to connect with God.
I am thankful for:
1. My crazy, but amazing family.
2. Laughter
3. My health- I still have a ways to go, but finding your yoga videos has helped me get back on track!
I am grateful for my sweet husband, my puppies, my best friend, family, new home, health, and the journey in finding myself.
I watched your video on gratitude last Thanks Giving and it inspired me to think about all the good things that I have been given...all gracious gifts (the list I made last year was pretty long). For this year I can say I am grateful for getting stronger - physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. For learning about raw food, and raw, home made, energy/snack bars :). Also, this year, like never before, I have discovered the power of following my own inner voice, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to continue to cultivate it.
And I appreciate you Adriene. Continued grace and guidance, and sweet peace 🙂
Honestly, I am grateful that I have the privilege to be inspired by someone I never would have met. I'm grateful for you, Adriene. I am grateful that I took the leap and followed my heart and am getting my yoga teaching certification, all as a ripple effect of needing some bedtime yoga one night. I am grateful for my family and my ability to be with them this week. I am grateful for the limitless love we are all capable of. I'm sending some your way.
Hello Adriene
I am grateful to have a beatiful famile and with health, and love to give and take
I am grateful to have a home and a job ( In this days in my country its a bless)
And i am grateful to meat you even only on videos and blog, you are a inspiricion, i love the way you love your way of live, i pratice yoga and teache children in what i learn with you
Regards from Portugal
PS Sorry about the English i hope you understand everything
I'm grateful for my new heart and lungs: for the life-giving transplant operation I had earlier this year.
I'm thankful to my yoga practice which has enabled me to regain my strength - to move from skin and bone to muscle and tone. I am now stronger than I have ever been and every morning I thank the universe for my life and for my amazing human form. Its capacity for healing never ceases to astound me. Thank you Adriene for inspiring me to develop and grow in my yoga practice at home.
Finally I am grateful for the forest in which I walk for miles every day with my wonderful dogs. Having known what it is like to be unable to walk or to breathe, this new-found ability to do so is just fabulous. Nature is forever changing, forever beautiful - even in the wind and the rain.
I am grateful I found your yoga videos on Youtube – I went from being a yoga hater to a yoga lover in 92 days flat. I found what feels good fo sho.
I am grateful for your front and center reminder about giving and gratitude. They really are the best centers of gravity for living a good life.
I am grateful for kindred spirits – we are all enjoying this ride together.
I am grateful that the universe brings me the exact lessons I need to learn, exactly as I am ready to learn them.
I am grateful for my children who humble me with their goodness, strength and amazingness.
I am grateful for my family and friends, who love me regardless.
(And one more thanks, to you, Adriene, for sharing your journey with us. Happy Thanksgiving) 🙂
im so darn thankful over the fact that I realized that im not mentally ill. I just have bad and good days. That I dont have the death wish anymore I think, not so bad like it was before anyhow. Im so grateful over my life, that I fond yoga wich made me so strong in both body and my soul. The realization that you should only give and give because it will always in some way come back to you. And not be selfish
First time i opened up. Have a nice afternoon my fellow yogis!
I am grateful for my beautiful family, who help get me through even the toughest of times, my job, which allows for me to better provide for my family, and for each and every day I'm given, they are precious.
For the sliver of silver moon and stars out tonight.
i am grateful for my boyfriend and his family, that is now my family. for the animals that care for me as much as i care for them and adriene's vidoes being awesome to watch
Hello!! I'm a Canadian so we celebrate thanksgiving in October. So it does a little switcheroo: Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, Christmas. And in feel like sometimes because of this that Remembrance Day is often overshadowed by the chaos of Christmas. So anyway!
I'm grateful for the love of my family, my husbands family, and my biological family.
I'm grateful for living near the trees and the ocean in beautiful British Columbia!
I'm grateful for YOU for sharing your life and time with us and inspiring me!
THANK YOU!
I love reading these!
I am grateful for my yoga practice, it has become a place of respect for my body and solitude for my mind. I am grateful my husband and son, they bring so much joy into my life and I strive to be a better and more true person. I am grateful for Thankgiving dinner and pumpkin pie, because I love the togetherness with whoever we are with and food is always a great joy for me, especially when I get to bake!
Hi Adriene! New subscriber here and though I have not been as strict with practice as I would like, I am feeling the benefits every single time. So it seems right to me to take on your challenge and express some gratitude:
1. I am SO grateful for your videos. I live in an area where yoga classes are few and prohibitively expensive. I was feeling very down about not being able to afford this and then found your vids on a youtube search. What a blessing! You make a difference in peoples lives 🙂
2. Gratitude to my wonderful husband who has even joined me recently in a practice session. (This is nothing short of miraculous).
3. Thanks to my 3 cats, who seem to sense if I need a smile-check mid pose and come hop on me mid-plank pose!
Happy Holidays and thank you
-Sadira
I am so greatfull for my husbond who gives me the in bed every morning. And for having him in my life - thank you....
I am super greatful for this yoga Channel - now i do my yoga 5 days á week - Thank you Adriene...
I am super greatfull and proud for my son - because he is an optimist and always see things from the bright side....
I'm grateful for my lovely friends, who helps and support me in every way
I'm grateful for my dearest boyfreind, who also is my best friend
I'm grateful for being me and sensitive, it gives me joy to feel så many wonderful things
Love - a yogi in Denmark <3
I am greatful for my husband, my beloved pets who are my best friends in the world and my yoga practise for helping me be peaceful, calm, mindful and relaxed. 🙂 xx
Only three.... this is difficult to narrow down but this morning I feel...
Grateful for my gentle, sympathetic yoga practice this morning, inspired by Adriene to ease my aching limbs and busy mind into the day x
Grateful for my wonderful man whose loving hug is what woke me from my slumber this morning x
Grateful, oh so very grateful for The St Michaels Hospice and all their wonderfuly kind staff that have been able to take in my very poorly daddy today to try and make him more comfortable. x
1. I'm grateful for health,
2. I'm grateful for sunday mornings, tea time, old books and funny people.
3. I'm grateful for your help in my practice of yoga.
Love, from France !
Grateful? Oh yes, this time last year I was a quadrapelegic, C4-C7. I lived at Kessler Rehab, the best in the East. Today I walk, breath on my own, eat on my own. Adrienne, I discovered you one night in the summer, when I had just had another spiritual awakening and I put in yoga for bedtime. Well, your site and video came up. I laid down on my bed - and at the end of the video, I felt more stretched than I had felt the last time my in- resident physical therapist worked on me. I was hooked. When I awoke, I found gentle morning yoga, and proceeded to do the same. Everything has been adapted and modified, but it is what I do twice a day. I have only. Iot done the evening oractice twice, and that was intentional. So I am so grateful I found you. I "run" and use your warm up and coold down as well. I tease my friends about my friend Adrienne - please know how much you have helped me...I have come so far with your videos. Blessings!
I was looking for a place to say thank you, and this seems like the right place. I'm grateful to you for sharing your yoga-practice with the world. I do public classes as well, but when for some reason I'm not able to go to class or there is no class, I have your videos. Your way of being and doing yoga really lightens up my days, and even after doing yoga on and off for 7 years, my practice has changed and evolved for the better because of you. You communicate inspiration and joy, and I really enjoy doing your classes. I'm very thankful for what finding you on youtube has meant to me! So thank you very much, Adriene 🙂
I am grateful for the rain, and for new music that came my way this season.
For my girlfriend and her love. and her amazing cooking skills
and I am grateful for this community!
making it a goal to be a part of the conversation this year:)
Happy New Year & Merry Christmas! Just love the flow... Merci kellyannarsalon.com
Merci for the yoga flow, sentiment & gratitude. Merry Merry & wishes of a prosperous new year! kellyannartsalon.com