What better time to reflect on the things we are grateful for then on Thanksgiving weekend. But why only set aside one weekend a year to focus on giving thanks?
It is easy in our consumer culture to feel the need for MORE MORE MORE. It is easy to feel that what we already have, is not enough. It is easy to look into the future and say, “Once I have [Fill in the blank] I will feel happy.” You can fill anything into that space: a new car, bigger house, a baby, a puppy, that new jacket, lost 20 lbs, got that big promotion…. whatever fits the story in your head. It is so easy to do this. It is easy to create a projected timeline of happiness based on items you do not yet have. Marketing, advertisements and social media all help us fill in that blank. These mediums feed us the images we need to feel as though what we have is not enough. To feel as if we can only truly be happy once we have reached that milestone or obtained that object.
If we are constantly focusing on all the things we don’t have, we are never fully grateful for all the things we do have. And here is the kicker—as soon as we open our hearts to all the things we are grateful for—all the things that bring us joy NOW in the present moment we shift our energy to become more open to abundance. More open to receiving. We find more things to be grateful for when we are looking for them.
“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” Oprah Winfrey- The leader in Gratitude journaling.
Being grateful is a practice. I think doing it daily helps us shift from scarcity mindset to one of abundance—or as Brene Brown might say into one of ENOUGH. Writing down our gratitude creates a pattern in our thoughts. Now more then ever, we must focus on the little things that bring us joy. The COVID Crisis rocking the world may stir up feelings of fear and panic, spiraling us into a scarcity mindset (which may lead to hording toilet paper). You may have just lost your job or were unable to be with a dying relative or you are going through serious financial hardship as the whole world economy becomes increasingly volatile. It is a perfect time to find gratitude even in the smallest things. Here are a few things I wrote down when Quarantine first started back in March.
- My ability to move my body
- Coffee
- My car
- Food on my shelves
- Access to free podcasts
- A big yard for kids to play
Six items may be too many at first, maybe you start with 3 things. When I look back at my list it is sooo simple. Also, Coffee makes the list daily. Once you start writing these things down, your list will grow. Gratitude becomes a feeling, not just a practice. Get started today, right now. On a scrap piece of paper, or in a beautiful journal you purchased just for this… it doesn’t matter. Commit to 15 days of it. You can do anything for 15 days right? After 15 days how will you feel. Let’s find out.
Self Reflection
- What was I most grateful for this weekend?
- What 3 things consistently bring me joy and happiness?
- Do I have a milestone or tangible object I am waiting to obtain before I allow myself to feel happy?
Challenge
I challenge you to spend the next 15 days writing down 5 things you are grateful for. Start your days fresh. At the end of each day, write down those 5 things. Journal how you feel after the 15 days are up.
Reach out. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.