"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."
Dr Wayne W Dyer
Over the past few weeks, I have been looking at the magnificence of the human spirit that lives within each one of us. I do not think we fully appreciate this precious resource that we each carry. If we did, we would all be a lot happier. No one can take it away from you. However, you can either enhance or diminish your awareness of it.
I love the American celebration of Thanksgiving. I realize that it is a few months away yet, but I would like to invite you to a pre-Easter Thanksgiving this weekend. Actually, I invite you to be thank-full at any time.
Being grateful is a way to be expansive, especially when we are feeling lacking, negative, cast down. Great-fullness. What are some of the simple things you may be taking for granted? What joys do you find in the world around you, that do not cost money? How have challenges from your past proved valuable in the longer term?
"Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more.
If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough."
Oprah Winfrey
Gratitude is at the heart of a renewed flow of giving and receiving. It goes like this. Count the small things you are grateful for. Experience the great fullness within you as you do so. Find ways to give from this fullness -- maybe your time, talent or a gift that can benefit someone else. Then be open and allow yourself to receive. Be grateful for what comes your way.
"The thankful receiver bears a plentiful harvest."
William Blake
Your human spirit is capable of this expansion -- and much more. What you appreciate grows in value for you. So love you. Love the sweet spirit that you are.
Here are 10 tips for becoming grateful:
1. Gratitude Journal
Keep a Gratitude Journal. At the end of each day, write 5 things you feel grateful for from the day. A smile from a stranger, the hug from your child, an unexpected compliment, a good meal, a moment of laughter with a friend.
2. Before sleeping
Go to bed with a smile, thinking about all you appreciate in your life. Breathe deeply and relax as you do so.
3. Gratitude Dance
Take a few minutes and begin your day with the Gratitude Dance. Start as you mean to go on. If your energy is flagging during the day -- do it again. It will probably make you laugh -- and that will energize and refresh you.
If you have not already seen it, you might enjoy this video of the Gratitude Dance taken around the world:
4. Appreciate Family, Friends and Co-Workers
Bring to mind those close to you that you love and how you are thankful that they are part of your life. Make a note in your journal of your special people and why you appreciate them.
5. Express Appreciation
At home, work or in your community, take a little time to communicate your appreciation to those you value - in person, over the phone, by email.
"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit."
Albert Schweitzer
6. Mid Day Break
Take a short walk and count your blessings, feeling grateful as you do so. You will come back inspired and enthusiastic for the afternoon.
7. Blessings in Disguise
When you are going through a tough time, it is harder to feel grateful. However, when you do, the results can be amazing.
When things are not going your way, or the way you had intended, declare them a "blessing in disguise" and be grateful for them. This simple shift in attitude will make you a winner, no matter what happens.
8. Gratitude Gathering
Bring a group of friends together for a Gratitude Gathering and recount the things you are grateful for. Conclude with a Celebratory Pot Luck meal.
9. Nature Walk
Take a walk in nature and notice the beauty around you. Beauty might be in something very simple like a leaf, a bird in flight, sunlight on dew, an elegant branch of a tree, the colour of the sky, the crunch of gravel or softness of grass beneath your feet. Allow yourself to feel the beauty and your gratitude for it.
10. Be Grateful For You
Last but absolutely not least. Take a moment to notice the goodness of your intent; the caring you express to others; the endeavours you take to be true to your ideals, even at difficult times. Be grateful for and bless your qualities and strengths. There is no one else quite like you. Honour and appreciate yourself.
"Celebrate what you want to see more of."
Thomas J. Peters
Gratitude is a way of closing a door on the past and allowing a new door to open to the future you wish to be enjoying. It is simple, yet very powerful. Gratitude is in your heart and hands.
What are some of the "small" things you sometimes take for granted? Have you been through any tough times that have turned into "blessings in disguise"? What do you most appreciate about yourself?
I would love to hear from you, either as a comment here or contact me at Clear Results: ClearResults@mac.com
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A sure way to get depressed is to count all the things you don't have or can't do! When you can find ways to feel more full, it is amazing how life seems to respond with more to feel full about.
Once we discover how very much we can do, it is remarkable how doors will fly open to let more flow in.
With love and blessings to you,
Anne
The sun is shining in Seattle. The daffodils are blooming. Cherry blossom trees are beginning to drop their pink 'snow' upon the lanes. And, I've got your post before me.
For you, I am ever grateful,
Cara
Thank you so much for your very kind words.
Seattle sounds quite wonderful in spring. There is something about the breaking through of spring that I feel awakens us to more of our blessings - to mine anyway.
Today here the sea is quite calm; the sun is sparkling off it; the breeze is fresh and they have stopped breaking up concrete on the building site nearby - so we have peace as well!!
And you have made a wonderful start to my day - much appreciated.
With love to you,
Anne
Gracias/Merci/Arigatou/Tack/obrigado/Shukran/Danke/Khawp khun kha/Terima kasih/Thank you...
a million thank you's in
What a joy to read your comment - thank you!
What a wonderful process you have discovered and work to gain more time and energy. As you so rightly say, it is those little things that can make such a big difference.
The commitment you are making to yourself goes way beyond you alone. I so appreciate what you are doing.
A million blessings to you - but who is counting!!
Anne
Thank your for your comment. I hope you may come to celebrate those blessings you have had and feel really good about the gifts you have been given.
With love and blessings to you,
Anne
Several years ago I created a performance event called "The Promise of Thanksgiving" which includes a unique telling of the story along with original music for flutes of the Old and New World (I do this "story concert" in churches, schools, etc. in November). As I was working up the script I realized that the capacity to give thanks is actually one of the hallmarks of our humanity, since this consciousness we have evolved seems uniquely able to understand and reflect deep appreciation for life.
At one point I had a heady thought and wrote it down:
Let's make Thanksgiving a WORLDWIDE celebration of the beauty and bounty our planet offers us! This could work on many levels toward healing the cultural and environmental imbalances of our time. As we all deepened into this ritual we might feel a new day emerging, since the practice of giving thanks might well evolve the human heart as science has evolved the human mind: through life reflecting upon itself.
Thank you very much for your thoughtful and inspired comment.
I love what you have written about making Thanksgiving worldwide. I hope that you may find a way to make this happen. The idea of it warms my heart. I appreciate your commitment to contributing in this way.
With many blessings to you,
Anne
Your comment touched my heart, thank you for being so open. Cherishing others we hold dear is I think very valuable and enriches both the giver and receiver.
I believe that our fulfuilment begins with fulfilling ourselves and then giving unconditionally from our overflow. In that, we have more energy and vitality to pursue the goals and objectives that are important for us.
With love and blessings to you,
Anne
I am grateful for my kitties that have no idea how much love and joy they give me. Soooo much! I am grateful for Deb who is my life partner and we can walk the path and smile, and sometimes cry and love
and the HuffPost for allowing all of us to share in a community of service.
I am grateful for all people and wish all beings happiness!
Joyfully,
Ed
It is wonderful that you grace these comments with your presence of love and joy in life. The miracle of our connectedness is just amazing - like you say in different parts of the world.
What a blessing for you to have Deb and your kitties and, yes, to HuffPost which affords us this brilliant opportunity to offer what we have to share.
Thank you for the sunshine of your spirit and the blessings you express so fully.
With loving to you,
Anne
I appreciate the difference between a pleasant and a sour disposition, but I hear echoes of Ralph Waldo Emerson (whom Melville called a con man) and Norman Vincent Peale (whom many called a dangerous con man).
Thank you for your comment and interesting point of view. I had not seen it that way.
I imagine you would have to work the processes suggested to know whether they are a con, or not.
With love to you,
Anne
I think this list has some excellent practical ideas for alleviating negative emotion. I just couldn't help wondering if there was any sacrifice of clear vision involved.
Thanks for your post.
Thank you very much for your comment. I am delighted that it came at a timely moment.
What a wonderful group you have. I imagine you give each other great support and encouragement.
With love and blessings,
Anne
With love to you,
Anne
Thank you very much for your thoughtful comment. You always have something interesting to share. I do not know the song you mention - I shall see if I can find it on YouTube.
I appreciate your perspective and vision. Enjoy a wonderful week ahead!
With love and blessings,
Anne
Wonderful blog. Sort of like a beautiful Spring day, you always have a gift of opening the heart in your blogs with a soft gentleness.
I find the Springs gives me many things to be grateful for. We are seeing new buds on trees, the first tiny crocuses popping up, and even the sounds of birds returning.
I love the last point about being grateful for YOU. This is an easy one to miss. Some say to take a shower and have gratitude for each body part as you wash! I loved that idea.
Enjoy your springy weekend!
Kari
PS I am not writing this week. Off to teach. Much love!
Thank you very much for your comment and kind words. I agree - spring is just lovely. Today it has been sunny here - people sunbathing and even swimming - the braver ones!
It is too easy to miss being grateful four ourselves - many of us are tough on ourselves. I love the taking a shower exercise - perfect!
I look forward to your next post when you return - have a wonderful spring-filled week!
With love,
Anne
With love,
Anne
I wish you all the blessings that you growing gratitude can bring to you! Enjoy the dance!
Anne