What a Beautiful Way to Connect
Writing gratitude is one thing but expressing it is quite another. Take your gratitude practice to another level by using it to connect with those who matter most. This doesn’t mean a simple, “thank you” when your loved one does something for you. This is about expressing detailed gratitude for who they are as a person and acknowledging that they are choosing to be in your life. What a wonderful way to tell people how much they mean to you.
Who?
First, decide who you would like to express gratitude for. Just focus on one person. Think of someone who you love and care for deeply. Maybe this is someone who you see every day but you don’t often tell them how you feel. Maybe this is someone you wish you saw more often.
How?
Notice. Pay attention to them. Look past what you normally see and see them in a new way. Look deeper at them and see their beauty. Without asking them, just observe to get answers to these questions. What is important to them? What makes them smile? What do they value and how do they show that through their actions? What are they grateful for? What do they hope? What are they feeling? In what ways do they make your life better?
Write it out. Take a couple of days and start writing a list of things you are grateful for about them. If you’ve been writing your daily gratitude for a while you know how important it is to be detailed. The more details you share the more true your gratitude is. In as much detail as possible, explore what you are grateful for about them in the present moment as well as memories that you have that you are grateful for about them.
Express it. Decide how you will communicate it to them. Will you write them a letter, call them, meet them in-person, or all of the above? Remember, when you express your gratitude, make sure to use a lot of details. Those details are the key to being vulnerable and speaking from the heart and it will help deepen your connection between you and your loved one.
Enjoy!
Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other.
~Randy Pausch
What are some specific things you are grateful for about a person you love?
LEARNING: On Saturday almost every sentence of my gratitude had expletives. I’m sure this isn’t true for everyone but there is a lot of fucking truth that is there after a curse word. I’m glad I allow myself to express gratitude in my true authentic voice.
FORGOTTEN GRATITUDE: Last week I was also grateful for how loving and supportive my girlfriend is when I am in pain … Surplus’s new jacket and how silly and awesome it is … Free delivery at Christmas time.
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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]