Gratitude

Gratitude changes the way you see everything.

4/20/2010

One of the most powerful exercises I have ever done in regard to Gratitude is to write a Gratitude list to my parents.  Talk about Perspective!!!  Gratitude lists are wonderful for many reasons, namely, they get you in a good mood, they may even make you cry (in a good way), they turn your view around and help you to see things from another’s point of view.

A good healthy Gratitude list can pull you out of a funk, change your vibes and open your eyes.  And who doesn’t need their eyes opened once in a while?

Anytime you’re feeling down, in a funk, put upon, quashed, overwhelmed or just plain blue, stop for a moment, and make your list.  You will shift!

Try some of these:

If you don’t like your home, make a list of all the things it has afforded you.  Find everything about it that you like and are grateful for, ie: it has running water.  It keeps me warm in the winter and dry during rain.  I have my stuff here.  I am safe here, etc.

If you don’t like your relationship, make a list of all the things you can think about that the relationship has brought to you (the good).  If you can’t list anything, think twice about why you’re in the relationship.

If you don’t like your body, make a list of all the wonderful things that your body has allowed you to experience.  Don’t love your thighs? Be grateful you have thighs! Not everyone does!  Don’t like your hair, find SOMETHING to like about it and focus on that.

Mad at someone?  Make a list of all the things they HAVE done that have been good and that have added to your life.  And if they are an extra-special dirty dog, list all the things you’ve learned from interacting with them.

Feeling already grateful for something, get deeper…make a list of everything else that you’re grateful for.

Feeling tired by life? Make a list of all the ways that living IS good.  The smell of the Spring air, the giggle of a baby, the taste of your favorite food, warm clothes from the dryer (and be thankful you have a dryer), ice cream, your ability to taste that ice cream, your ability to buy that ice cream.  What ever you can find…start writing and keep writing until your mood lifts.  It will!

Gratitude List for your Parents:

When you begin this, put the basics; thank you for bringing me into the world and then start listing every thing they have ever given you, everything they have ever taught you, every experience they have made available to you. Put down everything, everything that they ever did for you.  The list will astound you. What I found was that my parents and the choices they made and what they gave to me were often (very often) sacrifices on their part. The list was two pages long.  And then….if you feel comfortable doing so….

give it to them.