Begin every day by feeling grateful for opportunities to open your heart. No matter what your circumstances, daily bless yourself, your fellow human beings, and the earth; then express appreciation for your unique gifts. This opens your heart and helps you hear the voice of spirit guiding your life. Expressing gratitude for such spiritual guidance inspires you with the knowledge that you are not alone in your journey through life and strengthens your sense of connection with the universe.
An affirmation that can be helpful in this regard is the following by poet e. e. cummings reminding us to affirm ourselves and life in this way: “I thank you God for this most amazing day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees and a blue true dream of sky: and for everything which is natural which is infinite which is yes.”
Practice loving-kindness, nonjudgment, and acceptance of yourself and others. As you move through your day, keep an open heart and extend unconditional love and gratitude to whomever you meet. In these moments, pay attention to the connection between your heart and the other person’s. Then bless the individual in loving compassion. This tool can be used to release blame, resentment or judgment and to more quickly forgive yourself or others.
