Seven-Week Gratitude Infusion
This week, we are delightfully initiating our 7-week Gratitude Infusion which will lead to our 7-Day Gratitude Challenge the week leading up to Thanksgiving (or during anytime of your choosing).
Our beautiful, tranformative 7-Day Gratitude Challenge will be availabe for download by Tuesday, October 22nd, 2024. The complimentary "Neighborhood & Community Gifts" Gratitude Practice and printable will also be available for dowload by Tuesday, October 22nd, 2024.
In preparation for this gratitude challenge, I’ll be sharing my own experiences in following the gratitude practices we're inviting you to participate in. I’m excited for the transformation they will bring to your life and to mine!
TRUTH
Gratitude practices can be fun and simple and bring joy, all while being a powerful catalyst in improving our health. And eating broccoli or running 10 miles is not required! (although, I’m not discounting those good choices 😉).
Many research studies indicate that regular gratitude practices protect us from stress, improve our social functioning and our interpersonal relationships, and increase our optimism, self-esteem, and self-confidence. Who wouldn’t love a bit more confidence and a bit less stress?
BEAUTY
Let me introduce you to John Kralik. John was a 52 yr-old attorney who came to a moment in life where he was broke, unable to pay his employees, navigating through a second divorce, sleeping on a plastic mattress in an LA apartment without adequate air-conditioning, and not seeing a way out. A solitary walk and a profound thought on being grateful for what he had despite his circumstances led him to initiate a simple, consistent daily task of expressing gratitude, which changed his entire life. You can find John’s story here.
Gratitude turns the darkest moments into a glorious new beginning.
GOODNESS
For several years, I have focused on various gratitude practices and improving my attention toward all I should appreciate in life. The "3 Good Things" Gratitude Practice (part of our 7-Day Gratitude Challenge), which I diligently followed the beginning of this month and have continued to follow, has brought my attention and accompanying feelings of happiness to a new realm. Here's what I experienced:
- Each evening, as I journaled "3 good things" which happened to me earlier in the day and included the details of the "things" - whether they be events or interactions or unexpected gifts, I recognized my list was longer than just 3. I started choosing the 3 "best" things. I was in awe that so many good things were part of my life each day. Even on the hard and messy days.
- As I wrote about why those opportunities happened, I learned almost all were due to my choices - a choice to accept an invitation, a choice to socially interact, a choice to stick to or improve a healthy habit.
- And as I reflected and journaled about the emotions I felt toward each good thing, I realized that my days have more meaning and purpose than I give them credit. Because I'm not a wife or a mom and am not currently at the pinnacle of...anything (or so it seems), I often question the purpose and efforts of my life. This practice helped me realize that every single day is full of goodness and meaning. Even on the hard and messy ones. I am so blessed.
EXCELLENCE
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Emerson is wisely reminding us that in our quest for improvement and excellence, we have reason to be grateful for every piece that moves us forward.
Even in those difficult moments when our desires for excellence may seem out of reach, we can be grateful for the stepping stones of struggle that are refining us, teaching us, and leading us to the excellence we seek.
What is one challenge you can be grateful for that is building your path to excellence?
Remember - you are divine and loved. You are beautiful, worthy, and strong.
Lovingly,
