Don’t Lose Yourself in the Holiday Rush
I don’t care how busy we are, we can all claim two minutes for ourselves. Savoring the present moment opens the door to gratitude. To help us get there take two minutes alone outside. If for some reason you can’t go outside, just go anywhere you can be alone. Get bundled up if it’s cold outside. Leave your phone or turn it off. Now go outside alone. Once you are outside, close your eyes and take a deep breath. Feel the air in your lungs. Savor it. Release it. Open your eyes and begin walking very slowly. As you walk, look around and find an object or something in nature that appeals to you visually. Notice it from afar. Walk towards it. Look closer. Now closer. Take in all the colors and textures that you see. Savor it. Release it. Close your eyes and take another deep breath. Exhale through your nose and feel the breath traveling through your nose. Open your eyes and hold your gaze on the first thing that you see. It doesn’t have to be pretty or interesting. Notice all you can about it. What does it look like? What color is it? Savor it. Release it. Before heading back inside, bow your head and say a silent thank you. Repeat this as often as you need. Commit to doing this every day for two weeks and close the year out in a savoring state. What a beautiful ritual to prepare yourself for your written gratitude practice.
[su_quote cite=”Sarah Ban Breathnach”]Savor the small with a grateful heart.[/su_quote]
This Week’s Gratitude Question
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My Gratitude Experience Last Week
Sometimes I don’t know what is true for me until I am grateful for it. My gratitude is a road map to my true self. Last week I wrote about how I don’t always feel that I have time to pick up my nephew or niece, something I do every Thursday. But I was grateful for it even during my busiest week because I it always brings me to peace, happiness, and playfulness.
Forgotten Gratitude
Last week I was also grateful for the tastiest fruit tray, there’s something about fruit in the winter that I really love … The gift of an enchilada burger … Being connected by moon appreciation … Our new life together.
A New eCard
The Gratitude I Shared Last Week
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| Sun | 12/14/2014 | I was delighted to run errands together and then to come home and bake … In gratitude for being one step closer to the new instrument I plan on purchasing … In gratitude for a beautiful day … Candied pecans … Doggie jackets … Giant cups of water when I have taken in so much salt and sugar … Waking up before my alarm to a creative urge. |
| Sat | 12/13/2014 | I’m grateful, huge overwhelming gratitude, to have eaten the most delicious pecan pie I’ve ever tasted … I’m grateful for learning to make traditional pork and red chile tamales … I’m grateful for the sweet taste of savored success … Did I mention the pecan pie? Aaah American Pie Bakery, where have you been all my life? |
| Fri | 12/12/2014 | I was delighted to run errands together and then to come home and bake … In gratitude for being one step closer to the new instrument I plan on purchasing … In gratitude for a beautiful day … Candied pecans … Doggie jackets … Giant cups of water when I have taken in so much salt and sugar … Waking up before my alarm to a creative urge. |
| Thu | 12/11/2014 | I’m grateful for a big ole knitting reunion, catching up with kick-ass ladies, eating delicious homemade pizzas including one made special for me, and we actually knit … Being silly and laughing with my lady … A totally productive day, accomplishing all but one thing on my very ambitious to do list. |
| Wed | 12/10/2014 | I was delighted to make stirfry in the 3-years-of-love wok filled with gratitude veggies I received from Sol Harvest for contributing to their campaign … I am grateful for one click back up of my photos and turning off phone notifications (all except text and calendar) … I don’t always feel like I have time to devote three hours each week to my nephew and niece but then I do it and I am always at peace and happy and playful; I am grateful to know that like many things, when I don’t think I have time is when I can benefit the most … I’m grateful for remembering to winterize the back yard (pond and watering system), it has been deceivingly warm during the days but it was long overdue … I’m grateful for the lesson I have learned about not being grateful for something that hasn’t happened yet, gratitude for the anticipation and excitement is wonderful because it is present and real. |
| Tue | 12/9/2014 | I’m grateful for getting out of the funk I was in and laughing with the family … 75% off high quality thrift store finds and this after my meeting got out unexpectedly early so I had time to shop … El Parasol veggie tacos so very drool worthy … A exciting collaboration opportunity dropped into my lap. |
| Mon | 12/8/2014 | I’m grateful for uncovering something important that needed to be known … I’m grateful for green chile that was almost too hot for me … I’m grateful for advice from business owners to help me with my conundrum … I’m grateful for a conversation with a colleague that made me think … I’m grateful for the gift of coconut milk chai. |
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My gratitude journey started in May 2011 and continues to this day. Thank you for being a part of it!
A daily gratitude practice is simple. Write down three things you are grateful for each day. Download your free GratitudeGuide.
My clients focus on gratitude and learn from their successes to make the positive changes they want in their lives. You can to. Call me to set up our first meeting 505.333.9336.
Created by Antonia Montoya[/su_note]