“When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears.” Anthony Robbins
It’s that time of year again when we all start thinking of what we are grateful for. Since I was very young I have practiced waking up and falling asleep at night with a ‘thank you’ to LIFE (Spirit, Source, God, Divine). Most of the time my list of gratitude’s is significantly long. However, there are times that I can only mutter, “Thank you for another day – YES! I’m breathing!” These simple acts help me to realize my connection to everything, they help me stay tuned in to more than what is happening around me.
When you are lost, how can you begin living in gratitude?
That’s a big question. Many of us allow our circumstances to block us from seeing the good in our lives. We become so absorbed in the “situation” that we can’t see the light. Sometimes we might have to look a little harder than others because we tend to focus on what we don’t have instead of what we do have.
Create a habit of choosing to see things from a new perspective.
Developing daily habits of gratitude soon becomes our natural state of mind and raises our vibration, which opens our life up to more possibilities. Grateful people are happier people.
Action step 1: For one week, when you wake up in the morning, before you even put your feet on the ground, thank the Universe/God/Spirit/Source (whatever it is for you) and Mother Earth for the breath you take and another day to be here. Close your eyes and send joyful BLISSINGS to yourself, everyone and everything on the planet.
Action step 2: Practice living in gratitude by seeing what’s good, by paying attention to what’s working in your life. With regular practice, gratitude will begin to flow easily and effortlessly through you. Get yourself a notebook, something just for you and create a gratitude journal. At the top of each page, write the date. Every night for a week, before going to bed, Count YOUR BLISSINGS by writing down at least 3 actions.
What action are you thankful for?
Example: I’m thankful my son was home to feed the dogs since my meeting ran late.
What thing are you thankful to have.
Example: I’m thankful for the coffee pot and coffee that helps me wake up in the morning!
Who are you thankful for?
Example: My mom, for not stopping at 5 children!
At the end of a week you’ll have over 21 examples of gratitude’s in your own life. Recognize the small things at first: the breath, even if it’s labored (ok, that’s not so small), a sunny day even when it’s cold, a warm coat even if it has holes, or food on the table even if it’s only rice.
Action step 3: Choose a different letter of the alphabet and record everything you are grateful for that begins with that letter. Begin with the letter A.
OR write each letter on a piece of paper, fold it up and place it in a special bowl or sacred cup. Each day, reach in and grab a letter; again, write down everything you are grateful for that begins with that letter.
Focusing on gratitude takes your attention off of the lack or negativity in your life and puts the focus on what’s working, what’s positive and joyful.
Remember, what we focus on multiplies, thus gratitude raises our vibration to our own place of joy.
One of the challenges of the Holiday Season is that we often lose sight of caring for ourselves. When we try to make everyone happy and everything perfect, our energy gets zapped. When we’re low on energy, it’s easy to get dragged around by our inner critic and other people’s agendas. In this article you will find supportive holiday self-care tips so you can slay your anxiety and get the most enjoyment out of the days ahead.
… but by learning to choose which people you let get close.
In the last year, my husband lost his last immediate family member. Most years, our Thanksgiving was spent with his parents or sister, and now they are all gone. For a moment, for this first year, that left an empty feeling in us about this holiday…usually so full of family sharing and catching up…and laughter…and good food.
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