by Stephanie Dempsey

Thanksgiving is a marvelous opportunity to acknowledge all of the bounty we enjoy on a daily basis. By being more receptive to abundance, you can attract it more readily. If you have a hard time counting your blessings, try integrating these feng shui cures into your living and office spaces. They will help you focus on what you have, instead of concentrating on what you lack.

Mellow Out
Muted colors like chocolate brown, goldenrod, pumpkin and olive lend a sense of safety, protection and support. If you're preoccupied with financial worries, integrate these colors into your decorating scheme. They will make you more content with what you have. Earth tones can also make you more resourceful.

Back to Square One
Sturdy and reassuring, square shapes promote contentment. Using square plates instead of round ones will make you slow down and appreciate meals more fully. If you have a hard time sitting still and enjoying your surroundings, put some square cushions on your sofa or square pillows on your bed. And a square-shaped mirror will make you more satisfied with your appearance.

Soft as Silk
Soft textures can make you more receptive to warmth, kindness and affection. Go ahead and splurge on a downy comforter, some plush pillows or a set of luxurious sheets. Positioning a plush, comfortable love seat in the far right corner of your home or office will make you more open to loving, nurturing relationships. This will also stimulate your own generous instincts..

A Trip to Bountiful
It's easy to be thankful when you're surrounded by symbols of abundance. A bowl filled with fresh fruit, a vase of colorful flowers, a rack filled with fine wine, a painting of a harvest field...all of these things will make you feel prosperous and content. If you have a collection, display it to its best advantage. The sight of it will remind you that there is more to wealth than just money in the bank.

Take a Load Off
Nothing affords contentment like a comfortable chair. An executive office chair with a padded seat, high back and wide arms will make you more appreciative of your job. An overstuffed armchair with a footrest will help you enjoy the comforts of home. Covering your kitchen chairs with soft cushions will prompt you to pause and savor your meals.

The Gang's All Here
You're more prone to be grateful for others when you witness their contributions. Invite friends, relatives and guests to help you prepare meals, mix drinks or pick music at mealtimes. Schedule a family meal at least once a week. Hold a special dinner for friends once a month so you can all stay current with each others' lives.

It Takes Two
Lone images and solitary figures can make it difficult to feel nurtured. Scan your home and work areas for pictures, sculptures and ornaments that depict a single person. Replace these images with group photos of friends and relatives that evoke happy memories. If you have a lone stuffed animal, get them a friend. Replace a single bust with a figurine of a couple in a passionate embrace. You will soon grow more appreciative of the people in your life, and they will be more receptive to your generosity.

Get Involved
One of the best ways to cultivate gratitude is to donate your time and energy to a good cause. Choose a charity that is close to your heart. Spending just two hours a month cleaning cages at an animal shelter or shelving books at the library will make you aware of just how many people work to make the world a better place.

Stock Up
If you're the kind of person who tends to keep only a container of old Chinese food and a desiccated lemon in your refrigerator, you could feel something's lacking in your life. Keep a stock of favorite foods in your pantry. Just being able to fix yourself a snack or offer friends refreshments will make you feel that abundance is always available to you.

Oldies, But Goodies
Having things that last and endure can lend a sense of constancy to your life. They can also make you more thankful for old friends and help you maintain loving relationships. If you don't have any family artifacts like your grandmother's china or father's cufflinks, you can always add a few antiques to your home. Choose pieces from your favorite period in history. They don't have to be expensive, but they should evoke a feeling of another time.