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There is much talk about the
power of Gratitude, books,
articles and sacred texts all
speaking about this amazing gift.
My early memories of the
concept of gratitude had a really
weird energy:
•
Be grateful for what you
have others don’t have near
as much.
•
Finish your peas and be
grateful there are children
starving in China.
Perhaps you heard things like
this as well.
What I received was that I
“should” be grateful because
others were suffering while I
was not. The underlying feeling
I experienced was a subtle
guilt or even shaming. Is it any
wonder that when I started
hearing about using gratitude
to invigorate my mood I didn’t
really feel drawn to it.
I have since come to a different
awareness of gratitude, as
a space of playful, joyful
appreciating. A conversation
between myself and the Divine.
•
I amso grateful for the forest,
•
for the wind,
•
for really good chocolate!
•
I am grateful for the people
inmy life, for the experiences
we share,
•
for the things I am learning.
When I am in this space of
gratitude, of truly appreciating
life, my mood improves, my
creativity grows and my energy
increases.
So here are a few tools we can
use to create a habit of gratitude.
Gratitude Journal
Daily, write down 3 things you
are grateful for. Be specific: I
am so grateful for the way my
kids interact with each other. I
love that they are so connected
and how they teach me about
relationships.
Gratitude Jar
I recently learned about this one
and am loving it! Designate a
jar, a box or basket -something
with a lid is a great idea. As you
go through your day and things
occur that you are grateful for
write them down and put them
in your gratitude jar. Then, on
New Years Eve you get to dump
out your jar and read through
your grateful year!
Gratitude Speech
Appreciate people out loud.
Give compliments and allow
your heart to come with you in
speaking.
Pay it forward
Practice
random
acts
of
kindness. Look for opportunities
to lend a hand. Pick up the check
for the person behind you at
a drive thru. I love this one, its
so fun to drive away aware that
you’ve given a gift to a complete
stranger, just because. What
might that create in their world?
My challenge to you: Try one
or more of these tools, or use
others you find, to support you
in having an attitude of gratitude
for one week, just 7 days. Then,
see what you notice about your
Gratitude & Celebration!
By Julie Margo
SOAR TO SUCCESS
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D
ecember
2016
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Personal Growth Strategies