Release the Jinx
Some people say that they don’t want to say how good things are going for them out of fear of jinxing it. This superstition directly stands in the way of practicing gratitude because that’s what this practice is, drawing attention to the good things we are experiencing. Feeling fearful that good things might go away is a painful place to be. Of course these things are often said out of jest. Whether humor or fear, don’t worry about jinxing your good fortune by practicing gratitude. Joe Shurtliff, said, “I think expressing gratitude is a great way to attract more of what you want in life. When you start to worry about being jinxed and it becomes a prominent theme in your way of thinking and acting, that’s exactly what you will receive.”
I couldn’t agree more. I find that one of the awesome benefits of my gratitude practice is it makes me a lot more aware of what I like, love and appreciate. And as they say, what you appreciate appreciates.
If you are worried that these good things you are experiencing might be taken away from you. Use the Gentle Loving Journey to Positive Change steps to help release this fear.
- Self-Acceptance. Accept yourself. Accept the fear. In what ways are you grateful for this fear?
- Self-Compassion. Be understanding and kind to yourself. In what ways are you grateful for yourself?
- Self-Love. Love yourself just the way you are. In what ways have you shown love for yourself?
- Self-Care. Notice what you need. Give yourself that gift. In what ways have you cared for yourself?
- Make a Positive Change. Notice the need to change. Envision the future. Make a plan. Take small steps forward. Acknowledge yourself. What have you done this week that you are grateful for?
Once you are able to release the jinx you won’t be giving it so much attention which in and of itself is a good thing. But even if bad things happen there is always something to be grateful for. A few years back my purse was snatched and yes, I was sad and pissed and a bit superstitious that I somehow caused it because I was feeling like a victim. But I was still able to find gratitude. Partly because a generous woman who saw it happen gave me some money out of her own purse. But also because the moon that night was quite beautiful.
[su_quote cite=”Louis Pasteur”]Do not let yourselves be tainted by a deprecating and barren skepticism. [/su_quote]
This Week’s Gratitude Question
[su_button url=”http://www.ourgratitudecollective.com/activity/” background=”#178fb3″]What has been going really well for you that you appreciate?[/su_button]
My Gratitude Experience Last Week
Got out of town, off the grid, away from it all for a lovely long weekend. Gratitude was everywhere I turned. I love how wonderful a change of scenery is for my state of mind.
Forgotten Gratitude
Last week I was also grateful for a colleague calling me up to say she’s going to use me as an example of great marketing during her presentation … Hummingbird after hummingbird after hummingbird whirring past to drink from the feeder. Grateful I was sick and resting because it finally put me in a place to see and hear all the action … Stacks of rocks carefully balanced on each other along the stream … Our water jug recovered thanks to Kris … Watching a burned out paper towel disappear into smoke, its cotton filaments holding strong and gracefully flowing in the air.
A New eCard
Image by Antonia Montoya
The Gratitude I Shared Last Week
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| Sun | 5/24/2015 | I’m grateful for two babies in fuzzy white head to toe polar bear suits … Esequiel in my arms, huge brown eyes open wide … Alone time in the tent, rain and hail percussion mixed with the flow of the stream as I read and napped and daydreamed … A sweet tiny daisy-like wildflower gifted by my sweet love. |
| Sat | 5/23/2015 | I’m grateful for a long hike with different wildflowers changing with the elevation; all of us bravely crossing each stream. I’m grateful that my family is here together, missing Cherie and Eden though. I’m grateful for a huge pit of coals glowing orange through the char. I’m grateful for the water he have and access to more. |
| Fri | 5/22/2015 | I’m grateful for disconnecting from internet and phone service. I’m grateful for this clear beautiful night with stars glowing bright over the tops of pine trees. I’m grateful for being heard and understood, such a relief. I’m grateful for traditions with my family, growing, changing and reconnecting out here in the forest. |
| Thu | 5/21/2015 | So thankful I was able to talk to my best friend, separated by way too many miles but also thankful for phones to bring us together … Two productive meetings to finish out my week on a strong note … Getting away when I need to and saying sorry when I behaved badly, those moments can be hard to find the good … Oh and the reminder that I don’t always have to find the good I can just feel, accept and release. |
| Wed | 5/20/2015 | I love living here in Albuquerque! I’m grateful for the food and the way we talk, the consistently blue skies, beautiful landscapes and incredible thunder storms, our unique cultural art and music scenes, the innovation and start up companies and above all, family is the center if everything here. I’m grateful for making good on our commitment, feeling her soft skin on my lips, laughing together. I appreciate all the positivity in my world. |
| Tue | 5/19/2015 | I’m grateful for our yummy lunch at our favorite place and donuts while we waited for them to open … A low-key schedule for midday nap and rest when I’m feeling under the weather … A nice burst of energy to get shit done … I’m grateful we’re both excited to commit to a weekly date night. |
| Mon | 5/18/2015 | I’m grateful for errand-running company earlier … Hot chicken broth, soothing and salty … I can’t get enough of this weather, I really love how stormy it’s been, lightning shows across the mesa and volcanos, faraway thunder rumbling right now and the watering system on rain delay still. |
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[su_note note_color=”#e7e7e7″ text_color=”#686767″ radius=”0″] 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 too. Call me to set up our first meeting 505.333.9336. [/su_note]