Warm greetings, dear Friend!
Wherever you are in the world,
and wherever you are in your journey,
may you be well and happy. 🙏🏻

In last December’s newsletter, I mentioned that I’d like us to share “tools”/(spiritual) practices with each other this year that help us to access JOY (my word/theme for 2025).

In January, I wrote about SILENCE.
In February, I wrote about SPACE.
In March, I wrote about SIMPLICITY.
In April, I wrote about BELONGING.
In May, I wrote about SERVICE.
In September, I wrote about MOVEMENT and BREATH.
In October, I wrote about PATIENCE.

This month, the tool/practice that I’d like to share with you is GRATITUDE.

Over the last month or so, one of the books I’ve been reading is “Mindfulness and Money Magic” by Laura Hallet. The quote from it below inspired me greatly:

“Gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful spiritual practices for inviting abundance into one’s life. By focusing on the blessings one already has, whether large or small, the heart opens up to receiving even more. By consistently practicing gratitude, individuals align themselves with a positive energy that attracts more prosperity into their lives. Gratitude journaling, prayer, and giving thanks before meals are ways many people can cultivate a grateful heart. This practice shifts the mind from dwelling on lack or scarcity to recognizing the wealth of goodness that already exists, which naturally invites more abundance.”

As a result, I’ve begun a gratitude practice – “voicing” silent affirmations and prayers of gratitude throughout my day, as well as making gratitude the focus of my daily journaling.

The impact that this practice is having on me can best be summed up in one word: WOW! I have found great truth in Laura’s words; in focusing on the blessings I already have, I AM receiving even more, on every level, and all from a place of “relaxed trust” (another concept from Laura’s book).

Of all of the tools/spiritual practices that I’ve shared with you over the last year, this is the one that has “moved the needle” for me the most. If you haven’t already, I invite you to begin a daily gratitude practice of your own – I think that you’ll be very glad that you did!

The Song for the Soul (chant) that was borne out of my gratitude practice is “I Thank You“.  May it serve you well!

How about YOU, dear Friend? Does this month’s theme resonate with you? What “tools” / (spiritual) practices would YOU like to share this month? WHEREVER you are on your journey, I would love to hear from you. Please e-mail me; we’re all in this together, and we have much to learn from each other. 

(THANKS for being a part of my journey, and SPECIAL THANKS to the kind souls who respond to my newsletters – reading your comments is always a highlight of my month.)

And, as always…
You can listen to my songs and chants here and here.
You can find the words to my songs and chants here.
You can buy my CDs here – ***AND NOW, ON bandcamp TOO!***

 

 

UPCOMING AND ONGOING EVENTS

I’m blessed with many opportunities to share my words and music; I perform as a solo artist (with my Chapman Stick) for many churches in both Canada and the U.S. (in person and online), at local chanting events, and at many local retirement homes. I also perform (with my bass) in many local musical groups. 

For more detailed information on any of my performances, please click on any date in my online calendar. And if I can serve YOU in any way with my words and music, please know that it would be my great pleasure to do so! 

All of my music can be enjoyed any time on my YouTube channel, and I would really appreciate it if you were to visit it and then click on “Subscribe”. (And if you’re a Facebook user, I would really appreciate it if you were to “Like” my Fan Page and then click on “Following”.) Thanks so much!

As a very dear and wise friend in Montreal once said to me, “All I can offer you is my experience”.

My sincere desire, in every one of my newsletters, is to encourage us all to live our Big Lives one Small Step at a time.

Much love to you, dear Friend!
I bless you on your journey,
and I wish you Ease and Grace and JOY
with cultivating GRATITUDE in your life.

Go with Love,
– Nathen

Nathen Aswell
Performing Songwriter / Inspirational Speaker
Encouraging people to live Big Lives one Small Step at a time
https://www.nathenaswell.com
https://nathenaswell.bandcamp.com
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/NathenAswell
(604) 618-4429