PRACTICING GRATITUDE

What a paradigm shift!  To move from a focus of what I don’t have to gratitude for what I do have.  It means the difference between frustration, depression and discouragement to happiness, serenity, and delight.  It requires that I center my awareness on what’s right in my life rather than what’s wrong.  Why is it so much easier to dwell on the negative than the positive?

Today I intend to remain conscious of the many small moments of grace I experience:  a smile from a friend, an opened door, the ability to breathe or move, food that sustains me, a safe place to live, freedom to believe how I choose to believe, and...  If I set my mind to it I know the list will be quite long.  I can choose this practice of gratitude if I want to and so I will.

GRATITUDE FOR MY LIFE

Comparisons to what others can do and what others have rarely, if ever, lead to happiness and serenity.  They tend to breed discontent, envy, and greed, as well as, reinforcing beliefs that tell me I’m not good enough.  When I am focused outwardly on others, I often fail to recognize the wonders that exist within me and the many gifts I possess.  I have difficulty acknowledging the blessings I’ve received and the love that surrounds me.

Today, I choose to take inventory of how fortunate I am.  I will open the treasure chests in my life to find they are filled with friendships and relationships that enrich my life.  I offer thanks for the support, encouragement and love I receive.  I will locate the vaults within my soul that hold my strength, hope, and very essence and be filled with gratitude for what I find there.  As I move into this day, I will take time to recognize with appreciation the many gifts it holds and release my desire to think others are luckier or better off than I am.  My happiness flows when I recognize how much I do have.

 

EVERYDAY GRATEFULNESS

It’s the time of year to focus on gratitude.  It usually doesn’t occur to me to be grateful for the mundane, routine events of a day.  When I am ill, injured or have other interferences to my routine, only then do I usually miss the ordinary, humdrum day.  Then, I miss the ordinariness of taking a shower, fixing a meal, cleaning house, driving to work, doing paperwork… 

Today, my intention is to have a grateful heart for the simple everyday activities I take for granted.  I will acknowledge with appreciation the people who show up for me day in and day out.  I will recognize with awe the abundant gift that 'just another regular day' really is and remember the many people who would love to have this gift.  I want to remain aware of the extraordinary-ness of simple daily routine.  I give thanks for this day that holds out promise and possibility.

 

 

ONE STEP AT A TIME

When time is short and there is so much to be done, I will take a breath, center myself, and attend to what faces me now.  Moving gracefully from one thing to the next, I will accomplish what I can accomplish in these 24 hours.  I will let go of regrets or anxiety about what I have left undone, it will return tomorrow if it needs resolution and I will deal with it then.  One day at a time.  One step at a time.  One breath at a time is my mantra today.

BELIEVING I AM LOVEABLE

A thought-provoking line from the movie “Perks of Being a Wallflower”:  We invite the love in we think we deserve.  As I acknowledge the people in my life who love me, I realize it is true.  I often only allow myself to be loved and accepted as much as I think I deserve.  When the line of what I think I deserve is crossed, I push them away or find reasons to doubt their love is real.  My own beliefs about my worth and value prevent me from accepting the love that is available.  No wonder I feel lonely and empty at times. 

In addition, I realize I have allowed myself to be deceived about what love is.  I have, at times, kept people in my life who haven’t been good for me.  I have allowed them to hurt, betray, disrespect, and step over my boundaries in the ‘name of love’ thinking if I let their ‘love’ go I’d never find it again.  This has led only to frustration, resentment, depression, and reinforcement of the belief that I’m not loveable. 

Today, I choose to continue working on transforming these beliefs.  I will affirm belief in my own worth and value and have gratitude for those in my life who accept and love me just the way I am.  I will no longer tolerate disrespectful, hurtful behavior as loving.  Rather I will open my heart to the love that is available around me.  I will have expectant hope and trust in abundance knowing that love will show up as I nurture and believe in myself.

SPEAKING UP

How often do I swallow what I’d really like to say?  This does not serve the purpose of building intimacy or trust in my relationships and rather creates distance, isolation and loneliness.  Perhaps there was a time in my life when speaking my truth would have been dangerous; however, that time is now over.  The remnants of fear from past echoes of hurt only continue to enslave me if I fail to recognize that was then and this is now. 

I am no longer an oppressed victim.  I am safe enough to express my thoughts, feelings, and needs.  I can choose to invite respectful and caring people into my life and distance myself from those who aren’t open to hearing and accepting me.  If another person doesn’t like what I have to say, I don’t have to negate my own truth.  I now know it is probably more about them than it is about me and it isn’t my job to manage another’s thoughts or feelings.  I have a right to speak up and communicate my truth.  Today, I will remain connected to my own integrity, acknowledge what matters to me, and be honest when I have something to say.

SELF ACCEPTANCE

Meeting my own expectations of myself can be a demanding task.  My internal critic wreaks havoc within by vigilantly watching for those moments of vulnerability or imperfection that can be held up as proof of failure.  This endless faultfinding creates discouragement, depression, and dissatisfaction, leading to a spiral of self-hatred and shame.  I am aware that when this part of me is unmasked, I simply find a scared little child who is desperate to avoid hurt, rejection, and suffering  while using this ancient defense system in an effort to provide safety and security.  Despite projecting power and control, in reality I find a frightened and quivering child. 

When I hear the voice of criticism and judgment within today, I will remember this child.  I will comfort myself with words of acknowledgement and reassurance rather than put downs and negativity.  I will remind myself that I am allowed to make mistakes; they help me to grow and learn.  I will embrace myself with self-forgiveness and compassion.  I will remain centered standing firmly on the ground of self-acceptance with an open heart.