Winter is here. We have been lucky to have such a mild autumn but this month marks the beginning of winter and colder weather. It can be hard to feel gratitude for the cold and wet of winter but without the rainy days nothing would grow and bushfires would be more prevalent in summer.

It can be hard some days to have or feel a sense of gratitude when everything seems to be going wrong but there is always something to feel gratitude or appreciation for if we take the time to look.

There is no need to write long gratitude lists. Simply take a few minutes out of your day to express gratitude or appreciation for something you have no matter how small. You may also like to express your gratitude or appreciation to someone for being in your life.

Here in Australia everyone has ready access to clean water no matter how poor they maybe. For most people it is only necessary to turn on their kitchen tap to have instant running water. In some countries, people usually women or children need to walk kilometres to access and carry back drinking water that may contain harmful viruses or bacteria.

Having a roof over your head and somewhere you can sleep and feel safe is another reason for gratitude. There are still too many people who are homeless and sleep in the streets or have a home but don’t feel safe in it for one reason or another.

Having a job or source of income so you can feed yourself and your family is something that not everyone has. In some countries the person may have a job but make barely enough to feed themselves let alone their family.

There are many more reasons for feeling grateful for what you have in your life. Perhaps you can think of three. Having friends and family who support you in your endeavours, having a garden you can enjoy, being healthy or having ready access to medical help if you’re not, knowing about and using essential oils.

Here are eight essential oils you may like to use in your gratitude practice.
Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) helps you through the dark times in your life. She also helps you to see and be grateful for the lessons learnt, for they have helped you to grow into the strong person you are now.

Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) brings a sense of security and strength allowing you to see and feel grateful for all you have rather than continually working without a sense of balance in your life.

German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) can help you let go of fixed expectations that prevent you feeling gratitude in the now for all that you have.

Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) brings a sense of lightness and gratitude. She also helps you let go of unrealistic high expectations for yourself and others which can stop you from feeling gratitude for what you have and disappointment over what you don’t have.

Juniper (Juniperus communis) cleanses the negativity that maybe surrounding you allowing you to feel more joy and gratitude for the help and resources you have available.

Mandarin/Tangerine (Citrus reticulata) reminds you to take time out for play and not be overwhelmed by your responsibilities or the continual need to work or worry about what you don’t have but rather enjoy what you do have in this present moment.

Rose (Rosa damascena) reminds you that you are unconditionally loved. She helps heal emotional wounds and scars. She nurtures a sense of gratitude for the love you have in your life even if you cannot always see or feel it.

Sandalwood (Santalum album) brings a sense of gratitude by calming your fears and worries and allowing you to see all that you have and what is really important to you.

You may like to combine two or three of these oils and place 6-8 drops in a diffuser or vaporiser or add 10-20 drops of essential oil to a 100 or 125 ml bottle of distilled water, flower water or hydrosol. Shake the misting bottle well before spraying and take care not to get water or the mist on any furniture or furnishings that can be damaged or stained by the water or essential oils.

If you would like your own personal blend for this or any other issue feel free to contact me and discuss it.