PRACTICE GRATITUDE

When I started this practice, I thought this is a bit ridiculous, how is this really going to help me?

I have been practicing gratitude consistently since January 1, 2018 and it has changed the way I think.

Every morning I get up, go to the gym, come home make a tea and then write down one thing I am grateful for that day and one thing I really want. I then fold and deposit each slip of paper in the correct jar. These jars sit on my desk and as the year goes on, they become full. Everyday I can see how much I have to be grateful for and how there are so many things I really want to do or achieve.

At the end of the year I empty the jars into boxes, so I get to start all over again.

As time went on there were patterns that emerged, and I realized this simple daily practice was really helping me focus on what was important in my life. It helped me to reduce and eliminate the noise. I stopped feeling like I was pulled in 10 different directions everyday. I was able to be clear about where I wanted or needed to spend my time.

At first my notes were super simple:

Jan 6, 2018

• I am grateful that I get to spend time with my parents.
• I really want to have fun tonight with my friend Dale.

And, at the start this year, I can see how much my practice has evolved.

Jan 1, 2020

• I am grateful for all the work I put in last year to grow and start to move in the right direction.
• I really want this year to be filled with great moments where I feel like I am making a good contribution to the world.

In the past, quite a few of my notes seemed to center around other people, spending time or having fun with them.

I was a “people pleaser” and did things to make other people happy or feel good.

This year is going to be more about me and what brings joy to my life.

I am 100% grateful for this journey that I have been on and so happy that I love learning and continue to grow.

If you stay open minded life will continue to teach you many lessons and you can start to see things in a new way, and maybe even see more hope, possibilities or opportunities.

“Once you stop learning, you start dying.”
Albert Einstein

Take Action – Gratitude Challenge

This year, I challenge you to start a gratitude practice.

• Be disciplined.
• Do it everyday.
• If you forget, go back and do that day – think about where you were, what you were grateful for that day and what you really wanted.

Do this for at least three months and see if it makes a difference in the way you see the world but also in how you see yourself.

I can’t wait to hear about how your learn and grown from this challenge.

Until next time,