“(Some people) have a wonderful capacity to appreciate again and again, freshly and naively, the basic goods of life, with awe, pleasure, wonder, and even ecstasy.” A.H. Maslow
A daily practice of gratitude is very easy to do – it’s also very easy not to do. Most people believe they are already grateful enough – why should they have to write down their gratitudes every day. Then, once they start a gratitude journal, they really get to experience the full power of thankfulness.
Yes, there are days when I wake up, and I’m still tired; grouchy, and I just want to curl back up under the covers and sleep for a little while longer. Instead, I force myself to reach under my bed, grab my journal and start the day by writing down five things for which I am grateful. After that, without fail, I feel better. I have to confess that even I know that gratitude works well, there are times that I stop doing it. I get out of the habit and days or sometimes weeks go by without my daily gratitude practice. You know what? My life doesn’t work as well when I’m not taking the time out for gratitude. When I get back into the habit, the power of gratitude makes everything better again.
If you aren’t keeping a gratitude journal, I encourage you to take my 30-day challenge. For the next 30 days, write down 3-5 things that you are grateful for every day. I GUARANTEE you will feel the difference. I’d love to hear about your experience at the end of the challenge.
Have fun,
Lisa
PS – Appreciate “freshly and naively” every day. Today I’m grateful for the time I got to spend with my first mother-in-law. Yes, I totally let her spoil me with her delicious cooking and hospitality for a few days of “girl time.” Although things didn’t work out with her son, my first husband, Jeff, Barbara will always be my “mom” and a true blessing in my life.
PSS – My Biz TV Show channel is now the “Elite Expert Network.” If you’d like inspirational videos to watch and share, check it out here: http://neohio.eliteexpertsnetwork.com/Expert/author-and-speaker-lisa-ryan/
