When was the last time you stopped to acknowledge all the good
things in your life? Very often, when we're focused on a 'big'
goal, or just caught up in day-to-day living, we often forget
about the things that bring us joy. And when we're feeling down,
it's very hard to remember that they exist at all!
Yet there is a definite physiological response when we
acknowledge our gratitude. Try it now. Close your eyes and think
of something (or someone) you're grateful for. Notice how your
breathing changes? How it slows down? That you start smiling?
And just feel better in general?
It is amazing to me how something so simple can change my
perspective. No matter what my attitude was when I started, I
feel better. And the more things I can acknowledge my gratitude
for, the better I feel. Here's a simple way to incorporate
gratitude into your life on a regular basis.
1. Start your day off by remembering what you're grateful for.
List everything you can think of. As you continue with this
exercise on a daily basis, you'll notice that your list grows.
2. You can write these in a Gratitude Journal. Or, you can
incorporate this exercise into your morning routine. What do you
do regularly in the morning where your mind is free? Walk,
shower, exercise, commute to work? Reap double benefits from
what you're already doing by making that your 'gratitude time'.
3. Starting your day with gratitude puts you in a pretty good
mood. So, when you get to work, begin with the hardest thing you
have to do that day. I suspect you'll find it much easier to
accomplish.
'Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have
into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to
order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a
house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes
sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision
for tomorrow.' -- Melody Beattie
About Author :
(c) Louise Morganti Kaelin. Louise is a Life Success Coach who
partners with individuals who are READY (to live their best
life), WILLING (to explore all options) and ABLE (to accept
total support). Find many free resources to assist you in living
the life of your dreams at http://www.touchpointcoaching.com For
her free newsletter of insightful, practical suggestions for
creating your best life, email mailto:on-536@ezezine.com
