THE GRATITUDE LIST
I would say that almost every night for the past few years I have written out a gratitude list. It is basically a laundry list of all the people, places and/or things that I am grateful for in my life. This exercise was suggested to me by my spiritual mentor and it has shifted my mindset into another dimension.
By focusing on what we have - those people, places and things become brighter and more prevalent in our lives. WHATEVER WE FOCUS ON GETS BIGGER. So for example – if I focus on the stack of bills on my desk – they become more daunting and ominous. On the other hand if I focus on getting another job or focus on who, what, when or how can I bring even more money in than I already am bringing in – my energies automatically shift to the solution and the solution gets bigger.
There are some nights where the gratitude list never ends. I am in such gratitude for the people in my life, the opportunities that are afforded to me, and the beauty I see and experience everyday. But such is life – there are days when it is a complete struggle to get a list of 10 on paper.
For example: I was in a bad mood and I couldn’t find anything I was grateful for. I got up to get something to snack on and realized that if I didn’t have a handle on the fridge door, I wouldn’t be able to open it. It then dominoed from there. I was grateful to have food in my house, to have electricity to keep it from spoiling. There was gratitude for the fact that I had a home to store this fridge and electricity. The home is a place where people I love come to visit and it is my sanctuary.
Life is full of incredible gifts if we just open our minds to see them.
What are you grateful for today?
M
Congratulations, Michele! This is terrific and helpful and I've been hoping you would do this since reading your previous wonderful writings. Thanks! --LisaM, Sherman Oaks
ReplyDeleteThanks Michele. I needed that.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful for a wonderful and insightful mentor.
Rachel, Granada Hills
I am so grateful for all the supportive and inspiring people (like you!) who are in my life, who continue to fill my life with love and beauty. Just reading your blog is a wonderful reminder of how blessed I am. :)
ReplyDelete