TODAY IS THE FIRST PAGE IN A BLANK 365 PAGE BOOK. I INTEND TO WRITE A GOOD ONE... WHY DON'T YOU JOIN ME, AND DO SO FOR YOURSELF?
Starting today, I will write a quick acknowledgement of something I experience that I'm grateful for.
I'm well aware that life changes and each day is different, it is easy to be grateful when you're feeling good, it is a lot harder to do so when you’re stressed and down. "Every day is a new beginning and a new ending. Embrace it and make the best of it. Enjoy yourself and have a little fun while you can. If you’re smiling, you’re doing something right." happier.com
I'm normally not a fan of New Year's Resolutions. I feel that they lack a foundation of meaning and personal relevance, they give you an initial spurt of energy to get up and get moving, but they're just not sustainable. I feel why wait all year to make a choice about something? Why wait for one particular day to make a decision, when there are 365 other equally great decision-making days available to me? Which is why, this year is an exception, my resolution is an everyday resolution.
Did you know that gratitude has been scientifically proven to strengthen your immune system and make you happier and more optimistic, as well as less lonely and isolated? That's a huge reason to make acts of gratitude a daily habit. Here are a few tips to help us express gratitude every day:
1. Keep a gratitude journal: A gratitude journal is where you can write down the things you are grateful for each day. Make gratitude a daily habit. Every day, jot down great things that happened to you or that you are grateful for. Keeping your focus on the positive will really make a difference. You can keep a physical journal, or share your gratitude with the world right here on my blog.
2. Replace complaints with gratitude: When you find yourself focusing on what you believe you’re lacking i.e. I wish my house was bigger, I wish I had more money to buy more shoes, replace it with thoughts of what you are grateful and thankful for.
3. Volunteer in your community: There’s a well-known secret among long-time volunteers: an act of kindness does more good for you than those you’re serving. Doing something for the community you live in and returning the favor to those who have helped you are strong motivators. Everyone, rich or poor, takes from society, and volunteering is one way to show a sense of appreciation.
4. Say thank you: When someone does something nice for you, however small, try to remember to say thank you. And really mean it. Call to say thanks. Sometimes you might think about something nice that someone did for you. Pick up the phone and call the person, just to say thanks. Let them know what they did that you’re grateful for, and why you appreciate it. Takes a minute or two. Even better is telling them in person, almost as good is a thank-you email — keep it short and sweet.
5. The unique privilege of being YOU: YOU are one of a kind. You are lucky enough to have something that makes you different from everyone else. Embrace your individuality. Self-worth comes from one thing: thinking that you are worthy. So appreciate what it feels like underneath your own skin. You are amazing just the way you are.
We all have a whole lot to be grateful for. So at the end of the day before you close your eyes, smile and be happy with where you’ve been and grateful for what you have experienced and overcome.
Life is rarely perfect, but it’s always pretty darn good.
Now, your turn: Look around you. No matter who you are, there is something to be thankful for. A roof over your head, the food in your fridge, your family and friends. Each of these things are truly a gift. Every day that you are in good health, every day that you get to go to work, every day you get to drink clean water. When you begin to recognise the goodness in your life, and make a conscious effort to be grateful for those things, you will see that every day there is more and more to be thankful for.
What would you add to the list?
Happy 2015!
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