“Through the eyes of gratitude everything is a miracle “~ Mary Davis
In light of the year we’ve had in 2020, it might be a good idea to bring gratitude to the forefront of our minds as we begin 2021. I’d like to share with you a tool and practice I learned. It’s a simple process.
GRATITUDE: Every night before you go to bed, write down five things you are grateful for. Start with only five things. You can add more as you go along. Sometimes your five things will be very basic, your family, your children, your home, your job, etc. Other times you will be so filled with gratitude you’ll have much more than five things to write down.
The second step is:
GIFTS: Take notice throughout your day of unexpected phone calls, found money, opportunities or people that suddenly show up. Any door that opens for you, write it down. Notice kind gestures, a smile, a friendly hello. These are gifts especially for you.
And the last step is:
GAINS: Write down anything you accomplished. Big or little, it all counts. If you had to have a conversation you were dreading with someone but did it anyway, write it down. This step is designed for you to celebrate! Be proud of you! It is so important to recognize your accomplishments and the good you do!
There have been many feelings of isolation with being confined to our homes, not able to be with many of our loved ones and just plain angst for all of us. What a perfect time to begin this year in a state of gratitude to keep a focus on what is going well in your life despite the pandemic. Sometimes a shift in thought will boost your emotions to a more positive place to help you to keep moving forward. This technique led me to create a gratitude journal. When you take time to notice everything around you, you will learn to train yourself to see the good and be grateful for everything. When you express gratitude, you’ll be amazed how your mind will summon more and wonderful things begin to show up.
Start with five things every day. As you get comfortable using this process your mind will help you fill your list and you’ll begin to see yourself notice things you haven’t seen before. It’s a great feeling! Notice the good, give thanks and more will show up!
Hi Mary….I’ve been doing the gratitude list for years…last year I was in Italty in Feb , I got home a week before they locked the country down …we where lucky we didn’t get it or bring it home….the other big thing was my granddaughter getting her last chimo pill july 29….the gifts in my life are the great friends I have ….they drive me all over when I need it and bring me food so I don’t have to go to the store…I’m so blessed”’Hope all goes well this year ….wishing you and your family all the best of everything….Marie
Hi Marie… Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. I am so glad you were able to get home from Italy, no virus and have stayed safe. Also, what fabulous news about your granddaughter. What a gift to you and your family! Happy to hear you keep a gratitude list. So often, during the lowest of lows , gratitude has gotten me through each and every time. I add to my gratitude journal all the time! It also helps to re-read entries, especially on tough days when they come. I look forward to staying in touch. Wishing you continued good health and many blessings.