Count Your Many Blessings

Hello Queens,

I want to apologize for not being able to put out any blogs recently. A lot has transpired in my life lately. I have had some health challenges which have caught me off guard, but nothing that I can’t handle by faith, trusting in God, and following my doctor’s orders. However, it seems minor compared to what me and over two-million people experienced during hurricane Helene. I won’t go into all of the details but being without electricity, water, and food for a week (some longer than that) and no internet or TV for weeks following, is very unsettling. The whole city was pitch black at night and in the early hours of the morning. It felt like the end of the world. I had never been through anything like that in my life. My heart goes out to the families in Florida who have to deal with this every year. I pray I never have to go through anything like that again. But I will say to you my sisters, it does put things into perspective as to how much we take for granted every day. We know in our heads that tomorrow is not promised to us and that life can change in a split moment, but I don’t think we realize how true that is until something like this hits your life. It’s a wake-up call. Which led me to sharing this blog.

I encourage you to please have a grateful heart and count your many blessings, name them one by one every moment of the day. Be thankful for the small things you have been blessed with in your life. Such as, just waking up in the morning and being able to hug and kiss your children, your partner, your spouse or your parent. Thank God you are able to take a hot shower, which we couldn’t for weeks. (I took 2- minute cold showers) Thank God I didn’t get sick. Be grateful for a hot meal, or TV to watch, music to listen to, or for just being alive. There were over 200 deaths from this hurricane. I don’t want this blog to be too long and sad, it just impacted me more than I could imagine. So here are six way I have chosen to practice gratitude every day and say thank you to my heavenly Father, my creator for loving me and giving me life.

1. Keep a Gratitude Journal

   Write down three things you're grateful for every day. Reflect on both big and small blessings, such as supportive friends, good health, having the means to support yourself and your family, or a moment of joy and laughter during the day. This practice helps shift focus from challenges to what is going well in your life.

   
   

2. Practice Mindful Appreciation

   Take time to pause and savor the present moment. Whether it's enjoying your morning coffee, going for a quiet walk, feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin, or listening to a favorite song, fully immerse yourself in these experiences and acknowledge the joy they bring. I also set aside time to shut the world and the noise out and just sit in silence with a lit candle smelling the calming fragrance and being in peace.

   
   

3. Express Thanks to Others

   Send a heartfelt note, text, or email to someone who has made a positive impact on your life. Let them know specifically what you appreciate about them and how they've influenced your life for the better. This not only lifts their spirits but also deepens your own sense of gratitude. Queens, there are times I intentionally set a goal to compliment a certain number of people in a day no matter where I go.

   
   

4. Count Your Blessings Out Loud

   Verbally acknowledge the things you're thankful for, either when you're alone or with loved ones. Saying your blessings out loud helps solidify the feeling of gratitude and can be a powerful reminder of all you have. Every morning, I have what I call “coffee and conversation” with Jesus. Speaking out loud what I am truly thankful for.

   
   

5. Create a Gratitude Routine

   Establish a daily or weekly routine where you consciously focus on gratitude. This could be lighting a candle while reflecting on your blessings, saying grace before meals, or sharing what you're thankful for at the dinner table. Routines can make gratitude a more regular and intentional practice.

   
   

6. Give Back as a Form of Gratitude

   When you're feeling grateful for what you have, find ways to give back. Volunteer, donate to a cause you care about, or help someone in need. Giving is a meaningful way to express gratitude, and it spreads the positivity to others.

My final thoughts:

According to the science and medical community, practicing gratitude is strongly linked to improved mental and physical well-being, with studies showing that expressing thankfulness can lead to better mood, sleep quality, reduced stress, increased resilience, and even potential benefits for cardiovascular health; essentially, cultivating a grateful mindset can have a positive impact on overall health and happiness.

Therefore, my beautiful sisters let’s all start today being more grateful for what we have been blessed with and count our many blessings because there is always someone somewhere who would love to have your life.

Many Blessings,

Dr. Doris