Article by: Vicky Alercia-Casella LPC
November 2025
Grounding with Gratitude (and God)
There is always something to be grateful for. With Thanksgiving upon us this week, gratitude is the word that I most associate with this holiday. For the last few years, I have sat down with my children to create a gratitude tree. We go around the table, and we each write down something that we are grateful for on a colorful, paper leaf and then we add it to our tree until all the branches are full. We light up the tree so throughout our day, we are reminded of all the things we have in life to be grateful for. I think we can unintentionally take things for granted. This time of year, is also a beautiful opportunity to give to others, donations to a school or church. I encourage you to reach out to our community if you can lend a hand to help.
Despite our world being full of negativity, especially on social media, there are also many ways to connect positively. I recently learned about an app called Gratitude plus. There is a free version of the app. Daily, with several inspiring prompts, you can share and read others’ gratitudes from all over our world. What a beautiful, uplifting way to stay connected and spread joy. On the app, you also have an option to create your own private group. I have created one for my family and my church and it has become a beautiful way to share and connect daily. On those more challenging days when it might feel difficult to identify gratitude, you can lean in on the support and positive energy from others hope, prayers, and shares. Of course, there are parts of our journey that are very difficult and can take hold of us. We don’t want to discount any pain or sadness in those moments. However, we can still intentionally choose daily to identify gratitude. Daily gratitude can reduce comparison and turn what we have into enough.
This past year I have felt led to create opportunities to share gratitude in our community with grounding with gratitude groups in nature and while learning about spiritual direction from a program at Oasis Ministries. Whether you believe in God, a higher power, or the universe, choosing to ground ourselves in connection with the entity can help us to focus more on gratitude and all the blessings that have been provided for us.
If you have a desire to set an intention of gratitude for the new year and you would like learn more about grounding with gratitude or spiritual direction, contact me for individual or community group opportunities.
Sending you Light & Love,
Vicky Alercia-Casella LPC
610-905-2153
alerciav@yahoo.com
Sending you Light & Love,
Vicky Alercia-Casella LPC
610-905-2153
alerciav@yahoo.com
Vicky Alercia-Casella has built a remarkable career dedicated to the mental health and well-being of her clients. Her passion for helping others is evident in her diverse range of therapeutic services, which have continually evolved to meet the needs of her community. To learn more about Vicky Alercia-Casella and her counseling services visit https://www.psychologytoday.com/
