Gratitude, Grief and the Art of Acupuncture
Thanksgiving, as the name suggests, is a time to reflect on and express gratitude. This month, I encourage you to embrace the spirit of gratitude and make it a daily practice. If you’ve worked with me before, you know how I encourage my patients to keep a gratitude journal—there’s no better time to start than now.
“Gratitude is essentially the recognition of the unearned increments of value in one’s experience. Gratitude is a feeling that spontaneously emerges from within. However, it is not simply an emotional response; it is also a choice we make. We can choose to be grateful, or we can choose to be ungrateful – to take our gifts and blessings for granted. As a choice, gratitude is an attitude or disposition - Arrien, Angeles. “Living in Gratitude: A Journey That Will Change Your Life.”
As we move through fall, the emotion of gratitude, alongside the spirit of Thanksgiving, holds special significance. While Thanksgiving doesn’t directly connect to acupuncture’s origins, which lie in China, the season of fall does correlate with the Metal Element and the Lung and Large Intestine meridians. Grief, an emotion connected with the Lungs, which can manifest physically through sensations like shortness of breath or tightness in the chest. Just as trees shed their leaves, the Large Intestine lets go of what we no longer need.
During this season, many of us may experience ailments related to the Lungs and Large Intestine, such as constipation, asthma, colds or flu, lingering coughs, feelings of grief, or even depression and tension-related pain. One way to counterbalance grief is through gratitude, which acts as its emotional antidote. As you see the leaves changing color, feel grateful for their beauty. As they fall, appreciate that they nourish the earth. In your own life, acknowledge grief for what you’ve lost and feel grateful for having experienced it at all.
"Gratitude is a powerful emotion that brings us into the present moment and helps us appreciate what we have. In a world filled with grief and loss, it reminds us of the beauty in our experiences and connections. By practicing gratitude, we reset our nervous system, release suffering, and allow the light within us to shine. It helps us become who we are meant to be and embrace the richness of being alive." This is a condensed version of a quote by Lillian Bridges, from Face Reading in Chinese Medicine
Take a deep breath, feeling the crisp fall air fill your lungs, and as you exhale, release tension and anything that no longer serves you. Conscious breathing, along with practices like acupuncture, can help your body work in harmony, alleviating seasonal ailments like constipation, asthma, cold or flu symptoms, lingering coughs, depression, grief, and tension-related pain.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I’m deeply grateful for each and every one of you, and I hope this message encourages you to cultivate gratitude not just this month, but every day. Please reach out with any questions or if you would like to book an appointment.
Wishing you a peaceful and joyful Thanksgiving,
