By Jennifer Benson
Gratitude is more than a polite “thank you” whispered to the universe. It’s a spell—one of the oldest forms of magic humans have ever practiced. When you choose gratitude, you’re not just acknowledging what’s good in your life… you’re activating it, amplifying it, and calling in more. Gratitude is the frequency of abundance, intimacy, and alignment, and it’s one of the most accessible tools we have for shifting our inner world.
The truth is, gratitude isn’t about pretending everything is perfect. It’s about noticing the glimmers—the subtle sparks that remind you you’re alive, supported, and guided. It’s the warmth of your morning coffee, the softness of your bed, the way your body stretches when you wake. It’s the friend who checks in. The stranger who smiles back. The small wins you forget to celebrate. Gratitude grounds you in the present moment, reminding you that even on the messy days, there are threads of beauty woven through your story.
Energetically, gratitude opens the heart chakra like a blooming rose. It softens resistance, dissolves scarcity thinking, and clears emotional static so you can actually receive what you’ve been asking for. When you practice gratitude intentionally—whether through journaling, meditation, or a quiet moment of presence—you become a magnet for more of what nourishes you.
Try this: tonight, before bed, place your hand on your heart and name three things you’re grateful for—not just big things, but the tiny ones too. Feel the energy shift. Feel your breath deepen. Feel yourself reconnect.
Gratitude is the gateway to magic, manifestation, healing, and deeper intimacy with yourself and your world. And the more you practice it, the more the universe whispers back, “Here’s even more.”
Guided Gratitude Ritual
The Naughty Mystic: Heart-Opening Gratitude Ritual What you’ll need:
- A quiet space
- A candle (optional)
- Your journal
- Your breath & presence Step 1: Set the Space
Light your candle or dim the lights. Sit comfortably. Place both hands over your heart. Inhale deeply and imagine warm golden light filling your chest.
Step 2: Call in Presence
Whisper: “I open my heart to the magic in my life.” Take three slow breaths. Feel your body soften.
Step 3: The Gratitude Descent
Slowly scan your day from morning to night. Stop on any moment—big or small—that brought comfort, joy, connection, or relief.
For each one, breathe in… and silently say “thank you” on the exhale.
Step 4: Amplify the Energy
Choose one moment from today that felt nourishing. Hold it in your mind. Let the feeling in your body expand—warmth, softness, tingles, breath.
Step 5: Anchor It
Write down three things you’re grateful for. Then write one sentence beginning with: “Because of this gratitude, I am calling in…”
Let your intuition finish it.
Step 6: Close the Ritual
Place your hands back over your heart and say:
“I am aligned. I am open. I am grateful.” Blow out your candle. The spell is set.
THE NAUGHTY MYSTIC — GRATITUDE WORKSHEET
Prompt 1:
What three small “glimmers” showed up for you today? (A sensation, a moment, a comfort, a smile.)
Prompt 2:
What is one challenge you’re facing, and what is one tiny thing within it you can be grateful for?
Prompt 3:
Who supported you today—directly or indirectly? How did it make you feel?
Prompt 4:
What is something about your body, mind, or intuition that you deeply appreciate?
Prompt 5:
Finish the sentence:
“Practicing gratitude helps me…”
Prompt 6:
What are three things you’re calling in—and how can gratitude help you align with them?