Gratitude

Wed, 07 Jul 2021 22:07:20 GMT

A few posts ago I discussed some of the slightly unfashionable or even cheesy things I've found useful in my spiritual journey. Due to some relatively mild but still somewhat significant negative events in life lately, I remembered a technique that is probably cheesy but saved my life when I was at my lowest... Gratitude journaling. I think I picked up the practice from another New Age type book (it may have even been the sequel to the Secret, of all things... talk about unfashionable and cheesy).

In essence, every morning I'd write out ten things I was grateful for, no matter how sucky things seemed at the time. Then, reading it over, I'd really concentrate on feeling grateful for whatever made the list. Most days I'd end up in tears because it felt like my heart was going to burst with love (my kids and family made the list a lot). Some of those lists were pretty thin back then, but I always found my ten things.

The practice literally changed the way I think about things, seemingly in a long term way. I still have ups and downs like anyone, but I bounce back much quicker than I used to. And even though I dropped the practice when I no longer seemed to need it, I know its always there if and when I need it again.

So, despite the many challenges of life, I'm grateful to be here, doing the work.

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ari_ormstunga

Gratitude