Gratitude is the Attitude

A grateful life is a fulfilled life.

Author

Blair McLendon
November 21, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes

Peace and Abundance, Ankhora family!

Welcome to Ankhora's biweekly nurturing of the sacred trinity - mind, body, and soul. In each newsletter we intend to bring you a dose of inspiration, wisdom, and practices to enhance your well-being within those three major layers of life.

It is vital to be grateful for everything, from the biggest to the smallest things in life. For instance, just being able to walk around and feel good may be nothing to some and everything for others. Some of us may take that for granted, including myself at times, and then reality has a way of bringing things back into perspective. This is one reason my own health and wellness is at the forefront of all I do and it has become a lifestyle. 

A few weeks ago, I had a crazy bout with food poisoning-like symptoms where my body was purging everything. I couldn’t even keep down water. I have a lean, athletic build so if I stop exercising and lifting for a longer period of time, sometimes I feel too small, especially without water weight. 

Well, after this bout of “food poisoning”, all of that hard work in the gym went out the window quickly. I lost all my water weight and even my strength for a couple weeks. It was hard to even lift my body weight, or a 10 pound dumbbell for that matter, which was kinda scary to me. I just took it that as a message my body needed the rest, took heed and did just that.. Rested. 

Now that I’ve regained my weight and my strength it was just another thing to add to my list of things to be grateful for. I say all that to say we don’t always appreciate certain things until they are taken away. We may not truly appreciate how strong we actually are or what we put into our body until our body fails us and we have to take certain measures just to survive. 

I had to learn that lesson of listening to my body the hard way after dealing with different injuries and illnesses since I was young. The lesson in my early 20s where I dealt with digestive issues was one of, if not the toughest and most challenging lesson, I’ve ever had and I couldn’t be more grateful it happened when it did. That perceived “life or death” moment was one of two awakening moments I can pinpoint that shifted my whole perspective on how I was living and live now. 

With all that being said, appreciate everything, and especially your vessel (aka your body, your temple, your meat suit, your vehicle in the 3D). Give yourself grace and be patient on this journey of life. Remember, it takes time to become ill and it takes time to heal. In all of it, be grateful because most times everything is working for our highest good even when one cannot see it. Sometimes the Most High makes us experience the lows to truly appreciate the highs. 

Mindful Alignment:

  • Mental Gem: The mind is like water; when it's calm, clarity comes naturally. Water, representing our emotions, when in control is the one of the most powerful disciplines one can learn on this journey.

  • Mindful Moment: Mindful Journaling - Spend 5 minutes writing down all things that comes to mind that you are grateful for. This practice can help release stress and connect you with your inner thoughts, while also expanding your heart with gratitude.

Physical Alignment:

  • Herbal Spotlight: Nitric acid itself is not a supplement but is closely related to nitric oxide, a molecule our bodies produce that plays a key role in cardiovascular health. Nitric oxide acts as a vasodilator, helping to relax blood vessels and improve blood flow. This increased circulation can enhance oxygen delivery to muscles and tissues, which is particularly beneficial for heart health and athletic performance. Supporting nitric oxide levels through foods rich in nitrates (such as beets, leafy greens, and pomegranates) can also help lower blood pressure, boost energy levels, and improve overall endurance.

  • Top Tier Nourishment: 

  • Tuning into the Body: I’ve upped my nutrient supplements according to my specific needs based on my blood test results and I have been eating more foods with healthy fats and aminos. Correlating to the season and it being autumn, this is a time when we should strengthen our immune systems and prepare our bodies for the colder days in the seasons ahead by eating higher density foods. Stews, soups, hearty veggie bowls, and hefty wraps/sandwiches have been the go-to types of meals my body has been in need of in this season thus far. Eating heftier foods, means getting back into the swing of working out and priming the body for next spring and summer. It’s all connected.

Soulful Alignment:

  • Soulful Insights: No matter how chaotic the outside world becomes, your breath remains a constant source of grounding. Return to it when you need peace.

  • Affirming the Best: Why is everything always working out for my highest good?

Music is Life - 3 in Rotation Right Now:  

  • Lucky Daye - Think Different

  • Elijah Fox - Fading

  • Fr33 Sol - Fr33 Myself

Community Corner:

If you have a business in mind that you would like to see highlighted, please email me at [email protected] and include ‘Community Corner’ in the subject line along with details and contact information about the business in the body of the email.

We also want to hear about your journey - tell us about your struggles, successes, goals, etc. Email us at the address above or DM us on Instagram @3layersofwellness to connect!

Also, remember to check out my books if you haven’t done so already!

Grab your copies today, only at 3layersofwellness.com

Thank you for being part of the Ankhora | 3 Layers of Wellness community. We look forward to accompanying you on this transformative path to holistic wellness.

Gratitude,

Blair McLendon - Founder, Ankhora | 3 Layers of Wellness

Disclaimer:
The information provided by Ankhora | 3 Layers of Wellness is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. The content shared is based on holistic wellness practices and personal experience, and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.