October is such a beautiful month.

The world has enough beautiful mountains and meadows, spectacular skies and serene lakes. It has enough lush forests, flowered fields, and sandy beaches. It has plenty of stars and the promise of a new sunrise and sunset every day. What the world needs more of is people to appreciate and enjoy it. ~Michael Josephson

Here is my horse in his “fall outfit.” One of my favorite pictures. His colors match well with the fall colors.

During October, traditionally, people gave thanks for the harvest. In Germany, we celebrate the Erntedank Fest. Canada celebrates Thanksgiving in October. In the US, fall decorations inspire many to get ready for Thanksgiving in November.

While autumn reminds us to be grateful, practicing gratitude positively affects us how we feel. Gratitude has long-lasting physiological effects.

Why don’t we practice it every day?

It’s a funny thing about life, once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack. ~ Germany Kent

Gratitude boosts our mental and physical wellbeing, as well as our confidence. When we look back at our accomplishments and efforts with an attitude of gratitude for ourselves, we realize how far we have come. It feels good.

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. ~ Robert Brault

There are various ways you can start a gratitude practice in your own daily life. In my video below, I am sharing more about an important morning routine you can begin.

When you wake up instead of worrying about all the things you need to do and ruminating about yesterday, find 10 things you are grateful for. Write down the 10 things every day in your gratitude journal. Or tell yourself out loud the 10 things you’re grateful for. What’s very powerful, tell yourself what you are grateful for while looking into your eyes in a mirror.

Gratitude reminds us of all the good we have and brings more of the good. Whatever we focus on grows stronger.

Every day I appreciate my blessings and am grateful for all the wonderful things in my life, my family, my horse, nature and so many things that are magical when I count them instead of taking them for granted.

And gratitude reminds us to remember others, family, friends and our community. Our gratitude has a positive ripple effect.

I will end with two more quotes for you to ponder:

When eating fruit, remember the one who planted the tree. ~ Vietnamese Proverb

In ordinary life, we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich. ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer