Did you ever try to get a pee sample from your dog? Holy cow, is that a disaster!

My little dog, Maya, needed dental surgery recently and for some reason they wanted both the poop and the pee sample. Now, I can see to the poop. They always want that. And that’s so easy to get. They poop and you head over to scoop it up. Gross but easy-peasy. I read on-line the best way to get a pee sample is to use a frisbee or a frying pan. Course, I don’t have a frisbee because I’m a middle aged woman and not a college student, so I opted for the frying pan.

I let Maya out and followed her with the worst frying pan I could find because THAT is never coming back into my kitchen. She sniffed and circled like they do and when she squatted, I swiftly slipped the pan under her butt. Well, Maya, being her usual nervous self, naturally freaked out. She jumped up and ran away. I got a drop, maybe two. I kept following her, she kept running away, until we gave up and went inside and she peed in the living room. Sigh.

Being a recent empty nester, I thought there would be so much quiet in the house and so much calm. Somehow, chaos and ridiculousness just showed up again, in a different form.

Everyone will be home for Thanksgiving, and I’m so looking forward to the noise and the comings and goings. My husband wants to make a Turducken. Have you heard of this? It’s another form of ridiculousness, a turkey somehow stuffed with chicken and a duck. The kids are a little grossed out. I figure if I don’t have to make it, I’m on board!

I do love the idea of Thanksgiving though, that we should take a moment and celebrate what we are thankful for. It’s a sacred question and, no matter who we are, we can all put together a list that, really, is endless. I’m starting right now and thinking of so many things, and people, and moments that I cherish, starting with a successful procedure for Maya, even though she kept her pee at home. My wish is that this spirit of gratitude carries you and nourishes you this week and every week with it’s promise of more love and fulfillment.

You are most likely familiar with the psychological benefits of gratitude. Research shows it is the single most powerful method of increasing happiness. Practicing gratitude improves our relationships by enhancing empathy and reducing aggression. It also improves our self-esteem and makes us more resilient.

However, you may not be familiar with its physical benefits. Studies show gratitude can decrease pain and reduce symptoms of many health issues. People who practice gratitude regularly tend to spend more time exercising, have lower blood pressure, and increased energy levels. It also increases sleep time and sleep quality.

Gratitude is a powerful practice that can literally change your life from the inside out! It starts in your mind and your heart, and creates an upward spiral that is highly contagious.

The key elements to a gratitude practice are intention, mindfulness, and focused attention. Let's break these down to actionable steps.

• Intention ~ Gratitude begins with setting the intention to be grateful.
  ACTION STEP: Wake up each day and say "I am grateful for my life!" Or "I am grateful to be alive!"
• Mindfulness ~ Gratitude involves being mindful and aware of the beauty that exists all around you.
  ACTION STEP: Actively seek the positive aspects of life. Remember, what we look for is what we will see in life.
• Focused attention ~ Gratitude requires that you shift your focus from what’s going wrong to what’s going right in your life.
  ACTION STEP: Pay attention to what matters most in life. We are all so busy (especially this time of year), and we tend to lose track of the true treasures in life. You may want to start a gratitude journal where you can make a list of those treasures, so you can refer back to it when you need a reminder.

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to start a gratitude practice! Even if you can only manage one of the elements listed above, you will be headed in the right direction for the holidays!