According to research grateful people are happier, less depressed, less stressed, and more satisfied with their lives and social relationships. Grateful people also have higher levels of control of their environments, personal growth, purpose in life, and self acceptance. Grateful people even sleep better. Like most moms, I am very thankful for my life, my kids, and my family so when I read this kind of research I think “Check!”. Lately, I have decided to turn up my gratitude knob to a whole new level and the results are amazing!
My husband has now been without a job for more than 4 months. When I let my negative thoughts take over my thinking I live in fear. Fear of losing everything, fear of how this will affect my kids, fear of not finding a job…. I feel like I’m falling into the abyss…I feel out of control. I want to hide in my closet until this, I’m sure important but way too freaking scary life lesson is Done. My body joins right in with headaches, colds, fatigue…. You see, by believing my fear thoughts, and yes they are just thoughts, I could actually turn these thoughts into reality. I wouldn’t be able to be my best self for my kids, my husband, or my business. Thankfully, I have learned to spot these fear thoughts a mile away and fight them head on with industrial strength Gratitude!!! The reality is, in this moment we are ok. We have everything we need. I am so blessed with the loving relationships I have with my husband, our kids, and friends and family. We enjoy our life together everyday and that has nothing to do with money. I take time to connect with this reality and my many other blessing every morning and anytime I feel those nasty thoughts creeping into my belief system. Just last week, I noticed fear thoughts coming on while sorting laundry so I started connecting to being grateful for my kids clothing, which reminded me of simple but special memories of them wearing the clothing, which lead to happy tears while sorting dirty laundry! Worked like a charm!
Could you use a gratitude boost in your life? Pay attention to your thoughts. Do you spend more time believing fear thoughts (I don’t have enough…, what if…, I’m not ____ enough) or being grateful for what is real and true in your life? First, when you catch yourself believing fear thoughts, bring yourself back to the present moment and connect to the beauty around you and within you. God has created so much for us to be grateful for… just walk outside. When you focus on gratitude you turn off the fear response physically and emotionally in your body. Second, take a few minutes every morning to connect with what you are grateful for and let if flow all the way to your finger tips (you will feel a pulse or vibration when you have truly connected). If you have trouble, we can all be thankful for the breath as it flows through our body or start with a small pleasure…mine is chocolate or my dog. Third, be kind to yourself by taking time to be grateful for your own gifts and characteristics. Imagine if we all started our day in gratitude!!
P.s. this works great for kids also. When mine are feeling grim and grumpy or just down right unappreciative, I make them write in a gratitude journal. It works wonders…no yelling involved!!!
The Clear Path Connection 