Hello dear readers, welcome to our final week of practicing gratitude together. If you missed any of the previous issues, you can visit the Root&Rise Archive here: Monthly Theme Archive.
Next week, we’re starting a new theme for the month of December. Get excited, it’s a game changer.
But first…I want to extend a huge, heartfelt thank you to all of you. Thank you for subscribing and thank you for reading this newsletter, week after week. Your support encourages, inspires and energizes me to keep showing up.
I appreciate each and every one of you!!
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This issue of Root&Rise is a little different from the usual format.
I’ve gathered a variety of resources to share with you and organized them into three categories:
Practices
Reads
Listens
Today’s offerings are meant to support your gratitude practice moving forward. Because, when it comes down to it, gratitude isn’t a month long practice, it’s a way of life.
PRACTICE : Yoga For Gratitude
This gratitude practice is a “Yoga With Adriene” classic. It has racked up almost a hundred thousand views since it was first published seven years ago!
Adriene’s down to earth teaching style and deliciously, stretchy pose sequence make this class a winner.
Yoga For Gratitude | Yoga With Adrienne
35 Minutes | All Levels | Beginner Friendly
READ : Books About Gratitude
Of all the books I read while preparing to write the gratitude issues, two stood out as exceptional. I’m excited to share them with you today.
“Gratitude” by Oliver Sacks
Reflections on what it means to live a good and worthwhile life.
At first glance, “Gratitude” might be mistaken for just another coffee table book, filled with platitudes and throwaway sentiments.
Don’t let it’s pocket sized, brevity fool you though.
In a mere 45 pages, Oliver Sacks delivers four, powerful essays that are both intimate and expansive. Written near the end of his life, Sack’s reflections expertly encapsulate his lifelong curiosity and eager engagement in everyday experiences.
I loved all four essays, but the last one “Sabbath” is my favorite. Sack’s richly layered, and touchingly redemptive, account of his childhood in an Orthodox Jewish community is breathtakingly graceful.
My predominant feeling is one of gratitude. I have loved and been loved. I have been given much and given something in return. Above all, I have been a sentient being, a thinking animal, on this beautiful planet, and that in itself has been an enormous privilege and adventure.”
Oliver Sacks
Make Miracles in 40 Days by Melody Beattie
I heard of Melody Beattie’s book “Make Miracles in 40 Days” from, fellow Substack writer Marlee Grace. Marlee spoke of the book, and the practices within it, with such mystery and awe that I had to check it out.
I’ll admit, I was perplexed when I started reading the book. I didn’t get it.
Fortunately, I was familiar enough with Melody Beattie’s work to trust her. You might be familiar with the title “Codependent No More”, one of her most popular and transformational books.
I’m on day 39 of the 40 day practice presented in “Make Miracles..”, and it has had a profound impact on my life. I won’t go into detail. Not to be coy, but because Melody recommends that readers follow her process step by step.
That means, if you want to try her unique gratitude practice, you’ll have to get your hands on a copy of the book. It’s worth the purchase or trip to the library, in my humble opinion.
If you resonated with the previous issue (Gratitude Week 3), where we discussed the power of gratitude in adversity, “Make Miracles in 40 Days” will give you an opportunity to dive deeper into that concept.
LISTEN : Gratitude Podcasts
Thanksgiving Gratitude Could Help Us Year Round - It’s Been a Minute with Brittany Luse
In this enlightening episode of “It’s Been A Minute”, host Brittany Luse interviews Dr. Laurie Santos about her wildly popular class at Yale University, her podcast “The Happiness Lab” and, of course, gratitude.
I liked this podcast because Dr. Santos gives a fresh perspective on the concept of gratitude. It was exciting to hear her talk about gratitude in ways I hadn't heard before.
When you’re done listening to the “It’s been a minute” episode, go check out The Happiness Lab Podcast archive, it’s full of phenomenal episodes.
How Awe Transforms Us - A Slight Change of Plans with Maya Shankar
This, gratitude adjacent, conversation between Maya Shankar and Dachar Keltner is the first in a series of episodes exploring the role awe plays in our lives.
It’s thought provoking and definitely worth thirty minutes of your time. If you like it, there’s a whole library of “Slight Change of Plans” episodes to explore.
You cannot go wrong with this podcast. Every episode is a beautiful reminder to appreciate the twists and turns of life.
PRACTICE : PART II - More Yoga & Meditation Classes!
Gratitude - Yoga for Gratitude | New Year New Yogi Challenge With Nico
22 Minutes | All Levels | Beginner Friendly
I like to practice this well rounded class in the morning.
Nico opens with a message of appreciation and closes with a brief affirmation guided savasana. Practice this class to set an appreciative tone for the day ahead.
Yoga Nidra For Gratitude - 30 Minutes | Allie Boothroyd
36 minutes | All Levels | Beginner Freindly
Here is another class I discovered while researching for the gratitude issues. It has become one of my favorite Yoga Nidra practices, the one I return to day after day.
Yoga Nidra is the practice of “Yogic Sleep”. You don’t actually sleep while you’re doing it, but its a deeply restorative practice that will leave you feeling as if you’ve had the best nap of your life.
If you’re new to Yoga Nidra, there are a few things to know before you begin…
Yoga Nidra is practiced lying down, usually on your back
You’ll want a blanket for warmth & I also like to put pillows beneath my knees and head
Headphones are recommended but not required
The more you practice, the deeper your Yoga Nidra practice will get.
We’ll be going much deeper into the practice of Yoga Nidra in an upcoming issue. For now, just try this relaxing practice and see what you think.
Final Thoughts
I’d love to know what you thought of this issue of Root&Rise. Did you enjoy the resource filled, “Practice/Read/Listen” format? Or, do you prefer the usual “Essay & Practice” approach? There are always so many resources to share, I would definitely be open to offering more issues like this one in the future.
Let me know what you think in the comments!
As usual, have a wonderful week and enjoy practicing along with the classes I shared. I know I’ll be doing a lot of Yoga Nidra this week. I’m slightly exhausted after the Thanksgiving holiday and I can use the extra rest.
See you next Sunday for a brand new December theme! I’m so excited to share what I’ve been working on.
If you haven’t subscribed yet, please consider doing so now. You do not want to miss the December issues. They are full of luxurious practices to get you through this holiday season with your sanity intact.