Gratitude is a Full Time Job

Gratitude is not for wimps. Given that we are fast approaching the holiday of gratitude, it’s going to ramp. We hear a lot about showing gratitude lately, or maybe it’s like when you get a new car, and suddenly you see that same car everywhere. I personally have had gratitude on my mind quite a bit in the past year. I have much to be thankful for, but I’ve noticed that the practice of gratitude doesn’t always come quite so smoothly. I am crystal clear on the idea of manifest reality and creating more of the good stuff in your world through setting intentions, and gratitude to the universe. The reality is, when you’re having a stressful time, or things aren’t quite grooving along, it’s easy to let your grati-guard down. Dig in deep. This is when it gets real. I believe many of us have techniques for managing this, but I’m going to share a few of my own. I hope something in here helps you when you need it.

1. Before I roll out of bed, first thing when I wake, maybe even slightly before I’m fully wide eyed and bushy tailed, I take a long slow deep breath and draw awareness of the warm bodies next to me- the love of my life, and my furry little nugget of a pup. These bring me a great sense of calm and comfort. I’m quite thankful for their warmth particularly on chilly winter mornings!

2. As I get up and start my morning routine, I take a moment here and there along the way to appreciate the little things. This is similar to adding “brushing your teeth” to your task list for the day. You need the no-brainers to check off and help that sense of accomplishment. I love hot water. Wow my coffee is delicious. I adore my insanely wonderful perfume. My back feels great this morning. Listen to those birds going berzerk!…easy stuff to have gratitude for, and just as important.

3. Find something every day that makes you smile. I have preached this to my girls their entire life. Each and every day, find one little thing that you find beautiful, or adorable, or stunning, or funny- anything that makes you stop and smile. Being a color-centric person, this one is easy for me because I often stop and take in nature’s palette.

4. When I’m faced with a particular challenge, and fear starts to grip me I look deep inside for that elusive thing called faith- complete trust and confidence that things will work out. This one is important to me. I now view these challenges as little or big tests to see what meddle I am made of. Faith is leaping into the day and knowing a net will appear. It forces me to be bold.

5. Just like the start of my day, the end gives me a pause to take quick inventory and a quick mental list of how great the day was. Yes I was crazy busy and maybe dealt with some challenging clients, or spilled coffee on myself — whatever. That’s life. The day was still filled with beauty, I spoke with both of my girls, I laughed with my mom, I accomplished quite a bit and wow look who’s eating dinner with me! Winner!

6. Show a lot of gratitude to yourself. Loving yourself, and being kind to yourself might be the top of the order. Without self-love, you really don’t get past Go. So, collect that $200 and get on your way down the Boardwalk. You are amazing!

I love to travel, and along the way when I find something really awesome and I want to share with you, I’ll link it.

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