Are you a hot apple cider person?

My family and I were talking about things we like to do this time of year. Some things that came up was apple picking which led us to think about drinking apple cider and eating fresh apple cider donuts. Yes, we do outdoor activities like apple picking but when it comes down to it if we are really honest we are mostly there for the treats. 😄

So we ended up talking about our favorite warm drinks like coffee, tea, apple cider, or hot cocoa. We had so much fun talking about what we did and did NOT like. It's a great reminder that everyone has their own perspective even on what you may think are little things.

Food For Thought...

Accessing the Power of Gratitude

by Danielle Johnson

The practice of gratitude as a tool for happiness has been in the mainstream for years. Long-term studies support gratitude’s effectiveness, suggesting that a positive, appreciative attitude contributes to greater success in work, greater health, peak performance in sports and business, a higher sense of well-being, and a faster rate of recovery from surgery.

But while we may acknowledge gratitude's many benefits, it still can be difficult to sustain. So many of us are trained to notice what is broken, undone or lacking in our lives. And for gratitude to meet its full healing potential in our lives, it needs to become more than just a Thanksgiving word. We have to learn a new way of looking at things, a new habit. And that can take some time.

That's why practicing gratitude makes so much sense. When we practice giving thanks for all we have, instead of complaining about what we lack, we give ourselves the chance to see all of life as an opportunity and a blessing.

Remember that gratitude isn't a blindly optimistic approach in which the bad things in life are whitewashed or ignored. It's more a matter of where we put our focus and attention. Pain and injustice exist in this world, but when we focus on the gifts of life, we gain a feeling of well-being. Gratitude balances us and gives us hope.

There are many things to be grateful for: colorful autumn leaves, legs that work, friends who listen and really hear, chocolate, fresh eggs, warm jackets, tomatoes, the ability to read, roses, our health, butterflies. What's on your list?

Support Practice Gratitude

• "X" Day's of Gratitude Challenge:

A gratitude challenge is a great way to set a small goal and get started. Take the challenge alone or get some friends to join in to support each other alone the way. There are many of ways to make a gratitude challenge below is an example.

- Keep a gratitude journal and list 3 things you are grateful for each day.

- Perform one deliberate act of kindness a day no matter how small. (It could be just smiling at someone or opening a door.)

- Take a moment of reflection each day to appreciate yourself and your experience.