Thank you. Goodbye.
Start with What You're Ready to Let Go Of
Gratitude can be just the thing that helps us finally say goodbye to something that we are having trouble releasing. That is what today's gratitude ritual is all about. There might be something big we are wanting to let go of. But let's not start there. Let's practice with something easier. Something that is already one foot (or maybe even two feet) out of our heart.
A Gratitude Ritual
- Think about something you are ready (like really ready) to let go of. A few things might be floating into and out of your thoughts. Choose the one that feels farthest from you.
- As you are thinking about what you are ready to let go of, walk outside and take a deep breath.
- Find something in nature that is calling to you. Often something that smells strong can be a great choice like a rose, basil, a sprig of rosemary or pine. But you might be drawn to just using a stick, a rock or mustard weed that you needed to pull anyways. Don't worry too much about what it is. And please do not drive to the store to buy anything. Just look around and use what you find.
- Go someplace where you will be alone and undisturbed for at least five minutes. Yes, you can lock yourself in the bathroom for this.
- Holding your object from nature think of what you are ready to release.
- Think about why you were holding on to it in the first place. What you got from it. How it served you.
- Express gratitude to it for how it served you.
- Audibly whisper, "Thank you. Goodbye."
- Beginning at the top of your head sweep the object from nature around you from head to toe. There is no right or wrong way to do this. Just do what comes natural to you. You might touch your body with it or not. You might feel inclined to hold it or pass it over a specific area for longer than others. As you do this imagine what you are releasing getting further and further away with each breath and with each sweep.
- When you are done take the object back outside. Let it be taken by the wind, by water (if there is water around), or dig a hole to return it to the earth. Remember, you are releasing so don't hold on to it or save it. Let this object go.
- As you release the object say, "Thank you. Goodbye."
Gratitude is an opener of locked-up blessings.
~Marianne Williamson
Think of something that has served you in the past but no longer does. What are you grateful for about it?
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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]