Practice Grattitude
When I started this practice, I thought this is a bit ridiculous, how is this really going to help me?
I have been practicing gratitude consistently since January 1, 2018 and it has changed the way I think.
Every morning I get up, go to the gym, come home make a tea and then write down one thing I am grateful for that day and one thing I really want. I then fold and deposit each slip of paper in the correct jar. These jars sit on my desk and as the year goes on, they become full. Everyday I can see how much I have to be grateful for and how there are so many things I really want to do or achieve.
At the end of the year I empty the jars into boxes, so I get to start all over again.
As time went on there were patterns that emerged, and I realized this simple daily practice was really helping me focus on what was important in my life. It helped me to reduce and eliminate the noise. I stopped feeling like I was pulled in 10 different directions everyday. I was able to be clear about where I wanted or needed to spend my time.
At first my notes were super simple:
Jan 6, 2018
I am grateful that I get to spend time with my parents.
I really want to have fun tonight with my friend Dale.
And, at I start this year, I can see how much my practice has evolved.
Jan 1, 2020
I am grateful for all the work I put in last year to grow and start to move in the right direction.
I really want this year to be filled with great moments where I feel like I am making a good contribution to the world.
In the past, quite a few of my notes seemed to center around other people, spending time or having fun with them.
I was a “people pleaser” and did things to make other people happy or feel good.
This year is going to be more about me and what brings joy to my life.
I am 100% grateful for this journey that I have been on and so happy that I love learning and continue to grow.
If you stay open minded life will continue to teach you many lessons and you can start to see things in a new way, and maybe even see more hope, possibilities or opportunities.
“Once you stop learning, you start dying.”
Albert Einstein
Take Action — Gratitude Challenge
This year, I challenge you to start a gratitude practice.
Be disciplined.
Do it everyday.
If you forget, go back and do that day — think about where you were, what you were grateful for that day and what you really wanted.
Do this for at least three months and see if it makes a difference in the way you see the world but also in how you see yourself.
I can’t wait to hear about how your learn and grown from this challenge.
Until next time,
Originally published at janetlewis.com.
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