Today, before everything you say, think gratitude
A friend of mine, Giovanna Rossi, participated in the last 1000gratitudes and committed to posting her gratitude throughout the day on Facebook. She had a very interesting take on it. She said that all she did was add, “I am grateful” before everything she was going to post anyway. Instead of just posting about getting good news, she said “I am grateful for good news.” Later she was going to post a photo of her children and their experience at a local restaurant. So she posted: “I’m grateful for these beasties. We practiced how to count to five in French as well as please and thank you, and then ate baguette at Le Paris. #1000gratitudes”. I wondered if it fit for all of her posts and she said that it did, it worked really well and made her think.
I love the simplicity of this. Taking pause to contemplate gratitude can be such a beautiful practice and I love that she did it in this every day way. Imagine if we all filtered our communication through the intention of gratitude. I think it would make my life a lot less stressful and even happier. Earlier today I called to make a doctor appointment and was left on hold for a long time. I spent my hold time focused on the inconvenience of the wait. Imagine if I would have instead thought of what I was grateful for about having insurance, for all that is well in my body, and even for having the time to step away and make a call. That 12 minutes would have been a lot more peaceful and possibly even joyful.
This practice of think gratitude before you speak will help me get closer to living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude. I will start right now.
[su_quote cite=”Denis Waitley”]Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.[/su_quote]
This Week’s Gratitude Question
[su_button url=”http://www.ourgratitudecollective.com/activity/” background=”#178fb3″]Think of the last thing that you just said. What are you grateful for about your topic of conversation?[/su_button]
My Gratitude Experience Last Week
One day last week I wrote a very long list of things I am grateful for about my relationship with my girlfriend. I ended up with 33 things! Most of the research on written gratitude practices studies participants who write five things they are grateful for each day. I write a minimum of three things but last week I happened to write five things most of the days. Only one day did I write my minimum of three. I can’t say I notice a difference in the days that I write more or less but at least this week I didn’t have any days where I struggled to come up with my minimum.
Forgotten Gratitude
Last week I was also grateful for a white gauzy layered sunrise … Being playful at the Teppan grill … The gratitude cards coming in and bringing with them a charge of excitement.
A New eCard
The Gratitude I Shared Last Week
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| Sun | 12/7/2014 | I’m grateful for the graceful stretch and sway of tulips in a vase … Mutual enjoyment of Christmas decorating, I love it and so glad I can be myself instead of trying to act cool and roll my eyes at Christmas like I did when I was younger … A surprise visit that lit me up and receiving a gift and a treat too … The final knit stretch … Ugly spam noticed and removed; thank you Matt and Felicia. |
| Sat | 12/6/2014 | I’m grateful for Aunty Teresa keeping my grandma’s traditions alive for our family … So much family time together today for both of us … My huge gel ice pack … Cranes calling our attention … A bite of a warm empanadita fresh from the oven. |
| Fri | 12/5/2014 | I’m grateful for getting my car back earlier and cheaper than expected … Imitrex and over the counter pain relief too … An exciting purchase that made me feel the expansive joy of giving … Celebrating with a tasty and entertaining dinner and then hitting a drive-through for a deep fried apple pie for dessert. |
| Thu | 12/4/2014 | Today, my girlfriend Nicole and I celebrate three years of devotion, love, adventure, growth, dancing, kisses, holding each other through pain and loss, a deeper knowing and connection through our sobriety, trusting and honesty, big open-hearted vulnerability, family, friends, births, deaths, laughter, tears, travel, movies, bike rides, work changes, dog love, listening and sharing, watching the moon, hearing nature, soaking in hot springs, being strong, learning, dreaming, and lots of making music for each other and ourselves … for all of this and so much more, I am eternally grateful. |
| Wed | 12/3/2014 | I’m grateful for a new phone … And a huge loud warning to get my car fixed that saved me from causing major damage … and carpool … and my big warm coat hood … and so very grateful for a sweet lunch meet up at Powdrell’s. |
| Tue | 12/2/2014 | I’m grateful for a submitted report after a long time and a lot of work to get here … Catching up with mom and dad, helping her recover her contacts, talking with him about risk and failing fast … A beautiful loving new home for my favorite (but now sadly too small) shirt. |
| Mon | 12/1/2014 | I am grateful for loving and being loved … Efficient writing … Finding just what I was looking for at the thrift store … I don’t like the awkward situation I was in earlier but I am grateful to be a leader and have challenges that make pause and learn and grow. |
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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]