Light a candle, with a pen and paper (even better if it’s our printable this week) and focus just on what you’re doing.

This isn’t a simple, surfaced being grateful process, but a soul-searching craft about really understanding what it means to be appreciate of life. There are a lot of blessings in your lot.

• Having a cozy blanket to keep you warm.
• The ability to use your hands to write in your journal or type
• Your hearing, to listen to your favorite tunes
• Your voice to talk, sing to yourself, determine you’re here after all

Don’t Forget: Download and print our “Being Grateful Ritual” printable.

Read the instructions below before beginning, so you’re able to focus better on the process.

1. Deep gratefulness. We’re often prompted to say thanks for the things we have, the things we’ve been blessed with—and it’s easy to rattle off a list. But deep gratefulness comes not from us just acknowledging the great things in our lives, but from us celebrating it. Your ability to see, hear and walk. Your ability to feel, not just emotionally, but when you grip something or feel the soft yarn that’s your scarf.

2. Release resentment. One of our faves, Donna Cunningham, dedicated a chapter to resentment in her book Healing Pluto Problems. She highlights how often, where there is resentment, there is guilt and vice versa… but most important she writes how guilt is resentment turned inward and how this all has to do with our sense of power. The holiday seasons shines a light on our concept of power, how we’ve handled our own inner power over the years and how that interacts with that of our loved ones. First, to understand how to release resentment, we need to be able to pinpoint it, so list what are you guilty of doing, who has made you feel guilty, and so on. Break down the concept of guilt for yourself. From there, think of resentment and how that’s build up around you. Start writing, “I resent…” or “I am resentful of…” See what comes out of these release sessions. Quick tip: This isn’t a 1-to-2-day process, so allow yourself all the time you need.

3. Images work wonders. Have pictures to help you visualize who you’re thanking and why, as well to help you see all the blessings at hand. Often, we list and talk about what we’re grateful for, but seeing fully what they stand for, the energy behind it all, it doesn’t hit us. So use as many pictures as necessary to create that effect.

4. Picking colors. This part is tricky, because although colors are very important in any ritual we create, it often becomes too much of a focal point. White candles dressed in red, blue or yellow ribbons can also do the trick. Close your eyes and feel the color you’ll want to have for this year’s rituals… because it could change again next year and you don’t want to be married to one color alone.  Ask yourself why is this color important and what does it represent for you at this point in your life.

5. Selecting a theme. Think of a word that encompasses your thankful journey: healing, progress, joy, fulfillment, present. What ties all your gratefulness items together? Do they show how you’ve healed? Do they highlight the progress you’ve made this past year? Are they the embodiment of your joy? This ritual is a celebration—your celebration.

6. Store away your items. You can get a regular Ziploc bag to store your ritual items, or get all fancy and purchase something to suit your style. Etsy has some adorable selection of storage bags. Like other celebrations and rituals, i.e. Christmas, dinner parties, Easter, treat your ritual items with care and love.

ALSO CHECK: TIPS TO MEDITATE BETTER

7. Have prayers ready. Whether you want to use Bible scriptures or create your own prayers, just be sure to have enough to recite before starting your ritual and after you’re done (a “thank you” prayer). Also, if you are thanking people in your ritual, it’ll be great to recite a prayer for them and their blessings as well.

8. Make it fun. Yes, rituals are a serious act, but that doesn’t mean it needs to be too serious and lacking some sauce. Remember, this is to show how grateful you are, and you can’t fully show that if you’re being too uptight and strict. Add some or all of these elements, include some of your own, and have a lot, a lot of fun with it.

Grab our “Being Grateful Ritual” printable to document your Thanksgiving Day ritual.