ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE!!
“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” – Marcel Proust
I have really tried to be more grateful over the past few weeks. I have tried to stop and really take in the world around me. I feel I am pretty good at this already but I am attempting to be more mindful of it. I invite you to do the same.
Every day do something you enjoy. Even if it is stopping for that morning coffee. If you want whole cream because you just really enjoy it that way….do it. Try to add a few minutes that you can sit quietly and enjoy the flavor. Listen to the sounds around you. The sound of the animals, wind, rain, church bells, wet tires on the street….or just the wonderful sound of silence.
Set an intention everyday. Today I will________. What ever it is. Set it and do it. Be realistic of what is obtainable…this is not an exercise to set yourself up for a mental flogging!
Take a mental rest daily. Sit at your desk, close your eyes, do gentle stretches….say a prayer do some meditation….whatever…just take a few minutes and do it.
I have tried to take 5 minutes to dash out a daily note of appreciation to someone in my life. Someone I appreciate and tell them why it is. I am particularly bad at sending cards, notes, thank you letters. It really is something I am awful at. I am certain there are few people more appreciative than me….I love to give thanks, give praise, give love to people but if I have to take the time to write it….it never gets done. I think because I set up this mental image of the perfectly written note. Nice card, catholic school penmanship and grammar. It just takes too long….its a commitment I can’t do. So when I started my group email and joined Facebook…I gave that up. I decided to just be me. Just do me. Quickly dash out a thought as I think it. Just hit send and be me. So my notes have taken on that initiative. I just take my few moments to reflect on whoever has come to my mind that day, open a card and dash out my thoughts. It has been nice, I have been mostly hitting people I do not see daily and they are taken back by it. I feel good that I have shared my thoughts and spread some joy….it make me feel appreciative. Try it….
I usually encourage you all to share love, compliments to each other in class and I have been lax at that lately. I will step it up. Please notice the women around you. Offer compliments. I can usually come up with a compliment about someone in the first 30 seconds of talking to them….look I mean really look at people….tell them what you see! Offer praise and encouragement! All of this will come back to you 100 times over!
Take NOTHING for granted…..like this moment….nothing lasts forever.
And as always….BE GOOD TO YOURSELF!
With love and appreciation in my heart,
Kelly