Gratitude
Gratitude: the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.
Bingo and Game ON, now let's start Gratitude Month off with a bang. We need this more than ever and now is the time. Giving thanks and being grateful isn’t just about an afternoon on the third Thursday of November with family, football, and too much food…it’s about being present for your life, showing up for yourself, being kind to others, and being grateful for everything your hand is dealt. But that is just my opinion and the way I choose to live.
I am an optimist by nature - very realistic, but optimistic - and I see promise and possibility everywhere. While I am not a religious person who prays to God, I am a spiritual person who feels connection to the world around me. The mountains I climb, the sea I swim in, the sky I gaze at, the trees that provide shade, the dirt I walk on. These elements and the magic of Mother Earth always bring me back to my center and keep me grounded and humble.
This year has been different on so many levels. With all the stress and turmoil in our world today, I am choosing NOT to put my energy there…I am choosing to put my energy on the small blessings and be grateful for the experiences I have been lucky to have. Not every one was good, but as my mom says…”everything in life is either a blessing or a lesson.” Well, I have certainly learned some lessons, and had a lot of blessings.
For the month of November, and hopefully every day that follows, each morning I am practicing the ritual of gratitude by listing 5 things I am grateful for. This practice starts my day off well and makes me appreciate the little things, even if it’s just that coffee is made or the sun is shining. It’s the start of a new day, not yesterday or 5 years ago but a fresh start. There is something pretty amazing about getting the chance to write a new page in your book every single day. Family, friends, work, and my garden, that is my focus.
I am excited to take pen to paper and use my new leather Gratitude Journal…and if I feel stuck, I have my guided journal as back up..
For all of you who actually read these posts and follow along, I am grateful for you!
xx,
Emily
