Gratitude helps you see what is there instead of what isn’t

As many of you know, I have been gradually breaking up with hustle culture, which has opened up a renewed interest in practices like gratitude. When I was bogged down by my to-do list, rushing around with a million balls in the air, I had a perfect excuse not to practice gratitude. Being so busy also gave me a reason to push aside, meditation, stretching, and any other form of slowing down that I knew, in theory, would help me, but I rarely practiced.

Once I had the space and dealt with the tremendous void that appeared when I slowed down, I finally had time to engage in this practice that so many people swear by. I started small by saying ‘thank you’ to at least three things in my life. Before my feet hit the ground, I lay in bed and say three things for which I am thankful. I read somewhere that it can be helpful to make a point to change it each and every day and come up with even the smallest of items to be grateful for.

Sometimes I will look over at my Boston terriers cuddled at the end of the bed who always wait for me to wake up first, or that first sip of coffee feeling that many of us relish, or the sound of heat coming through the vents.

It is easy to take all of these things for granted, and gratitude helps us see all that is around us that we are thankful for. Gratitude is a meaningful experience and an ongoing practice. I highly recommend infusing it into your everyday life so you can be conscious of all the treasures you have.

One fun activity you can do is to take a mason jar and fill it daily with a piece of paper where you have written something you are grateful for. At the end of the month empty it and read each and every slip of paper to re-live what you are thankful for. If you have children, they especially love this activity. It is so easy and tempting to see what others have online and start the compare and despair game, but when you have a daily gratitude practice, that can melt away.

Return to ‘thank you’ as often as possible to infuse gratitude into your daily life, and you will be more conscious of all the abundance around you.

Also, as we round out the end of the year, I have room for three clients to end the year strong and start 2023 in alignment with all you desire. I invite you to reach out to schedule a call or message me to discuss it further.

Have a great week.

-Melanie