Midlife Shaman: Maria da Silva
Gratitude practices for women over 50 aren’t just about reflection; they’re about action, connection, and rewriting your second act with presence.
Gratitude Is a Verb
We often hear about the power of gratitude. We’re encouraged to pause, reflect, and acknowledge what we’re grateful for — either silently to ourselves or scribbled in a well-worn journal.
You’ve likely heard the adage: “Gratitude changes my attitude.”
And I believe it’s true.
Because when we focus on what we’re grateful for, we aren’t focused on what we lack. A lack mindset whispers, “I’m not enough.” Or worse: “There isn’t enough for me.” It leaves us chasing, wanting, needing. But a gratitude mindset? It grounds us. It reminds us: There is enough. I am enough.
During my morning meditations, I’m often guided to reflect on what I’m thankful for. And recently, a quiet but powerful thought came to me: What if gratitude isn’t just something we feel, but something we express Openly. Honestly. Without shame.
Gratitude in Action
There’s deep power in letting someone know they matter. In saying “thank you” with intention, not habit. In offering appreciation not just as a feeling, but as a gift.
There are so many simple ways to express gratitude:
- A handwritten note in a mailbox
- A spontaneous phone call
- A flower, a poem, a text out of the blue
- A genuine compliment to a stranger
- A whispered “thank you” to someone who changed your life, even if they never hear it
For even more ways to bring gratitude to life, check out 30 Days of Kindness and Gratitude: A Powerful Combination, a simple yet transformative practice from the Kuel Life archives.
These gestures may be small, but their impact can ripple wide.
As Rumi wrote: “As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.” This quote is more than poetic. It’s a call to action. A reminder that our path becomes clear when we move, even a little.
So what if we moved through life with more expressed gratitude? What if we said it, wrote it, lived it?
November in Plymouth and a New Kind of Giving
I live in Plymouth, Massachusetts, where Thanksgiving is not just a holiday; it’s history. It’s everywhere. And this season has me wondering: Where is the giving in Thanksgiving if we keep our gratitude to ourselves Giving thanks is more than internal reflection. It’s connection. It’s legacy. It’s action.
So, in honor of the season and in the spirit of our beautifully evolving second act, here are a few small ways to walk the walk of gratitude:
7 Gratitude Practices for Women Over 50 That Create Ripples:
- Write a “Thank You” Letter, and Send It.
Not a text. Not an email. A letter. On paper. To someone who changed your life. - Start a “Gratitude Chain.”
Text one woman each day with a note of appreciation, then invite her to pass it on. See where it goes. - Praise Publicly.
Leave a glowing review for a woman-owned business or shout someone out on social media. Public gratitude builds community. - Volunteer Time or Talent.
Give your time, your presence, your gifts, not just during the holidays, but year-round. - Keep a Family Gratitude Jar.
Every day, drop in a note about what you’re thankful for. Read them aloud at the end of the month. - Say the Unsayable.
Reach out to someone you’ve lost touch with, and thank them for the role they played in your story. - Practice “Thank You” in the Mirror.
Thank yourself: your body, your spirit, your perseverance. You’ve come a long way.
Gratitude is a Legacy
As women in our second act, we know this: time is precious, presence is power, and love, when shared, multiplies. So don’t keep your gratitude locked away like a secret. Let it out. Let it land. Let it ripple. Because gratitude, when expressed, becomes more than a feeling; it’s a legacy.
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About the Author:
Maria da Silva is a practicing shaman, writer and traveler who lives in Plymouth, Massachusetts and travels frequently to her home islands of the Azores. The founder of Wise Shaman Within, she is bringing peace, healing, and light to the world one client and one workshop at a time. Maria provides individual client sessions and also facilitates workshops in both the USA and Portugal. Visit her website: Wise Shaman Within.
