Change Your Mind About It
We see things a certain way and it can feel impossible or even destructive to see them differently. Take the risk because seeing things differently can often be the first step towards making our lives awesome.
Is there a situation in your life that you would like to transform? Try gratitude.
- Observe it without judgment. Write your observations. Notice details.
- Find appreciation for something about this situation. Write your gratitude.
- Resist the urge to write down your hopes and plans.
This process may lead to acceptance of the way things are (which is a transformation inside of you). It may lead you to action to take steps to make a change. It may even help you see the situation in such a different way that it transforms. It may help you to see the bigger picture. It may help you to find some understanding.
I just did this process for myself writing about a situation I would like to transform. It was interesting to filter out my thoughts and write down observations without judgments and explanations. Once I wrote some gratitude I immediately began thinking about everything I would do differently. I didn’t write all of that down but I noticed it.
Our mind can be a whirlwind sometimes when we focus on things we don’t like in our lives. Observe the situation. Find appreciation. Trust that the transformation will come. Repeat.
[su_quote cite=”Melody Beattie”]Gratitude turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity … It turns problems into gifts, failures into success, the unexpected into perfect timing, and mistakes into important events.[/su_quote]
This Week’s Gratitude Question
[su_button url=”http://www.ourgratitudecollective.com/activity/” background=”#178fb3″]You don’t like it and you don’t want it but what is one thing you appreciate about the situation?[/su_button]
My Gratitude Experience Last Week
It was a wonderful experience sharing gratitude using the Thanksgiving placemats. We wrote them down and then read them aloud. I love experiencing the different voices of gratitude. It reminded me of the value of speaking gratitude in a group of people who love each other.
Forgotten Gratitude
Last week I was also grateful for strong hot coffee every morning … A leg touch … Mindless TV and knitting on repeat.
A New eCard
The Gratitude I Shared Last Week
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| Sun | 11/23/2014 | I’m grateful for playing Manu Chao way too loud and laughing about it again and again … I’m grateful for this beautiful documentary I am watching right now called Alive Inside that shows how listening to music from their past can help people with Alzheimer’s to reconnect with their memories, their eyes light up and the stories flow … I’m grateful for delivering silly joyful gifts just because … I’m grateful for watching Eva’s steps and her two teeth. |
| Sat | 11/22/2014 | I’m grateful for the new moon and another chance to create a visual depicting my future and knowing that it will be … A day of cooking delicious food to nourish us, it tasted exceptionally good thanks to all the love I put into it … Getting through the most challenging part of my knitting project. |
| Fri | 11/21/2014 | I am grateful to read the gratitude of others here on our collective, this place is such a breath of fresh air … I am grateful for two cups of the most delicious creamy hot chai … I am grateful for simplicity, sometimes the most obvious answers really are the best answers … I’m grateful for Surplus’s doggy sweater that somehow makes me so fucking happy to see each and every time … I am grateful for planning together and those plans including a gratitude dance party! |
| Thu | 11/20/2014 | I’m grateful to have such a close loving family, my mom and dad and four smart, grounded, risk-taking sisters, two loyal brothers in law, two nephews and three nieces … I’m grateful for the little family we have, my girlfriend and I and our three dogs … I’m grateful that my girlfriend’s family is so close and loving and welcoming … I’m grateful to have close friends, so close that we tell each other that we love each other, they are my chosen family. I am rich in family in so many ways. |
| Wed | 11/19/2014 | I’m grateful to live in Albuquerque and have so many connections in business, music, family, friends everywhere I go … I’m grateful for having a warm cozy house full of love to come home to … I’m grateful for cuddling up with my love and laughing our heads off at ridiculous antics … I’m grateful for two of my sweet doggies who like to cuddle up on the chair when I am at my desk. Look at these cuties! |
| Tue | 11/18/2014 | I’m grateful for green chile stew and getting my boots back from the repair shop and my new warm coat with a cozy hood … A root canal averted … A no-show class and instead running into my Auntie Laura … Excitement, hope and possibilities renewed. |
| Mon | 11/17/2014 | I’m grateful for inspiration, it didn’t come on my time frame but it came powerfully … I’m grateful for being wrapped in a big bear hug of love and support and encouragement … I’m grateful for talking to my best friend on the phone and feeling connected even though there are way too many miles between us. |
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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]