Jessica Zayas on Gratitude

What is the one good thing that came out of COVID19?

Family quality time and connection with the communities regardless of the physical distance. ​

​Do you have a daily gratitude practice?

I do yes, upon waking up before even taking my 1st step of the new day, i put my hands in prayer and I say thanks for a brand new healthy day. I also have a gratitude journal, in which I love to put in writing what/whom I'm grateful for. 

If someone cannot feel gratitude, what can he or she do?

Definitely trying to see things from a different perspective. Sometimes we could get in this mindset that everything bad/negative is happening to us and/or around us, but when we allow ourselves to take a step back and see at the situation with a different/cleaner lens, a sense of gratitude can be felt by realizing that X, Y, or Z is not as bad as it looked.

Is there a relationship between yoga and gratitude?

The practice of yoga has the capacity to teach us how to actively practice gratitude, by looking at things, people and situation from a more understanding and compassionate standpoint. From not overreacting over a water spill on the floor to not being able to do a certain asana one day. (just a quick example on how we can practice gratitude towards others and within ourselves).

Why should someone practice gratitude?

The practice of gratitude allows the practitioner to be motivated, in appreciation, noticing the people and the things around him/her. The opportunity to be kind, compassionate, lovable with themselves and with others. It is a practice that not only benefit the practitioner but also those around. It also allows the thankful/grateful soul to be more present on the NOW!!!

Do you have anything to add on the subject of gratitude?

I strongly feel that if more people practice gratitude, and embody it whenever and wherever he/she goes, more and more people around them benefit from it by seeing it, feeling it and with that a ripple effects gets create it. Inspiring others to practice gratitude, and those others, and so on and so forth. The world could truly benefit more from grateful souls walking on Earth.

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