well as I told you in my last post, this time I want to talk about Gratitude. I'm sure you've all heard in the past that we should be grateful for what we have in life. Well it can seem hard at times when things are really not going well in our lives. Be grateful, be grateful ok and then so what?! I think I've learned one hard way these past years that being grateful is really important. And the important lesson I learned about it is that it's even better and more effective to be grateful when things are actually tough. I mean seriously, think about it: what's the challenge in being grateful when all is going well and you have everything you want huh?! I mean yes it's still important to appreciate all you have when life is really good, and we mustn't forget to do so. Being happy seems to be quite a challenge for many of us in our modern society. But for me, I found the real meaning of being grateful when things really sucked!
In the article I posted on my Facebook page this week about Gratitude - 5 ways Gratitude is good for your health (http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/5-ways-gratitude-good-your-health), they pointed out the following reasons:
1 - Gratitude can boost your level of life satisfaction.
2 - Gratitude can strengthen your relationship.
3 - Gratitude can improve your mental health and vitality.
4 - Expressing Gratitude can help you sleep better.
5 - Gratitude can help you stick with your workout routine.
Well I've tested all of these, in particular the sleep one!, and definitely found this article to be quite on the dot. So if you need a boost to find reasons to be grateful, read it!
Now how do I apply Gratitude in my life? I mean do you have to think about it all the time, should you tell people about it? Well sometimes I do. One thing I love to do is to write a little note, in an e-mail or actually sending an old fashioned card, to a friend or family member, simply telling them I am thinking of them and that I am grateful to have them in my life and for all the support and joy they bring me. This usually brings a smile to my face and just knowing it will bring one to theirs too makes me happy. ; ) But the method that has really helped me in this past year and that was taught to me by a good mentor is to keep a Gratitude and Achievements Diary! I know I know!!!! I'm sure you're thinking "oh gosh! ANOTHER diary?!!!!! More homework?!!!! Don't we have enough to do in our already REALLY busy lives?!!!!!" Well yes and no. I think one thing we probably all struggle with in life is finding the balance between all the things we HAVE to do and all the things we really WANT to do and that actually make us happy. So here is how I found my balance about having a Gratitude and Achievements diary. I DON'T write in it every day!!!!!!!!!! ; ) This is not the type of diary I had as a kid where I wrote everything I was doing. hahaha
There are 2 questions I answer in it every time:
1 - the things I am proud I have accomplished
2 - the things I am grateful for
And I write in it whenever I want!!! Usually I try at least once a week. But sometimes less and sometimes more. It depends also how much I have to pour out. What matters is that when I write in it I make sure I write ALL the things I am proud of having done including the tiniest thing. And then this easily helps me transition into all the things I am grateful for because most times it clearly points out how or who helped me achieve those things. But most importantly I will tell you: I really try to write when I am having a bad day.......This is more of a challenge but a real helper.
Because when we are having a bad day is when it's easy to forget all that we've done to come so far and all the wonderful things we are lucky to have. And yes, I'm sure many of you are thinking? But do I really HAVE to write about it? Can't I just THINK about it? Well no you can't. Because your brain just doesn't function that way. When we put our thoughts down on paper (or on the web if you want!) it helps us sort through them, gives us a clearer view, and helps us get rid of all the fuzzyness in our head. Which we probably have even more of when we are going through a bad day. So WRITE IT DOWN!!!!!!! You may find it boring at first but give a shot just a few times. I am sure it will change your life in a month. It changed mine for sure. And of course it's a good excuse to go and buy yourself that cute book you saw in the store recently! ; ) Or even better, to use one that a friend gave you as a present and with which you didn't really know what to do with because it only had blank pages and you don't draw. That's what I did. And it makes me even more grateful because every time I write in it, I think about that dear friend of mine who offered it to me. So thank you Isabelle. Here I can thank her for her kindness and sweet thought for me too.
So I am not about Resolutions for the New Year as you will see in my next blog post. But I am about bringing positive changes in our lives, things that can make us happier, healthier, stress relievers, so with the New Year really just around the corner, perhaps you may want to give this a try in 2012 and I sincerely hope that it will just bring a little extra happiness in your life. Today I am thankful for my family, my friends, my apartment, my life, my good health, having a job, and all the beautiful snow that keeps on falling for the past 2 weeks at last and that just makes my country that much more beautiful and magical.
Best wishes to all of you for a Happy New Year's Celebration and I will be back real soon this time! ; )
Kim
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Thank you for your comment! Let the Chi flow! Best life to you, Kim