I'm not sure if it's the hint of spring in the air this week, or the fact that we switched to Daylight Savings Time today, but the past few days I keep going to sleep and waking up with that Lego movie song in my mind.... Although the ground is still frozen (and mostly covered with snow), that won't last long, as we are expecting a week near 50 degrees for the first time in... I don't remember how long! While it's still too early to get out and start working on the new garden, at least there is hope in the air. And I have been in a much more positive frame of mind as a result - or perhaps just because lately I've been counting my blessings and realizing just how many there are....
In late winter sometimes it's easy to forget to be grateful, but I am reminded just how important it is to be grateful for all of the wonderful things we are given. I lately ran across an email about this really fun and amazing exercise called "100 Gratitudes," and thought I would share it with you today, as gratitude is one of the most powerful positive forces in the universe, and it's one that can literally change your state of mind for the better in an instant.
In late winter sometimes it's easy to forget to be grateful, but I am reminded just how important it is to be grateful for all of the wonderful things we are given. I lately ran across an email about this really fun and amazing exercise called "100 Gratitudes," and thought I would share it with you today, as gratitude is one of the most powerful positive forces in the universe, and it's one that can literally change your state of mind for the better in an instant.
Even such influential figures as Jesus knew this - giving thanks every time he prayed. As several well-known individuals in the success and personal development field have noted, it's literally impossible to hold a negative thought in your mind while feeling grateful!
The goal of the "One Hundred Gratitudes" exercise (originally created by Robert Holden Ph.D) is to come up with a list of 100 things that you are grateful for. If this sounds like a lot, it actually can go pretty quickly once you get started, and can really bring a lot of peace and happiness to your life.
In fact, this exercise has a ton of amazing benefits for those wanting to live a life of balance! It can help you:
It also brings about a sense of the awesome connections we all share. Practicing gratitude is one of the best ways to gain a greater sense of spiritual connection with yourself, with others, and with life as a whole.
That's a whole lot of benefit from just one simple exercise, so let's get started!
Here are 4 tips for completing your own "100 Gratitudes" exercise:
The goal of the "One Hundred Gratitudes" exercise (originally created by Robert Holden Ph.D) is to come up with a list of 100 things that you are grateful for. If this sounds like a lot, it actually can go pretty quickly once you get started, and can really bring a lot of peace and happiness to your life.
In fact, this exercise has a ton of amazing benefits for those wanting to live a life of balance! It can help you:
- Focus on abundance rather than lack
- Find your sense of purpose in life
- Remember the big picture and not "sweat the small stuff" as much
- Bring about psychological healing by helping you recognize the positive in past painful experiences
- And just plain make you feel great!
It also brings about a sense of the awesome connections we all share. Practicing gratitude is one of the best ways to gain a greater sense of spiritual connection with yourself, with others, and with life as a whole.
That's a whole lot of benefit from just one simple exercise, so let's get started!
Here are 4 tips for completing your own "100 Gratitudes" exercise:
1. Don't Just Focus On "Things." You may find yourself starting out with the "stuff" that you're happy to have in your life, but when coming up with your list, remember to include experiences, relationships, adventures, events, books, movies, songs, works of art, places you've been, pets, friends and loved ones, family members, special moments, and maybe even things you haven't done yet! You can still be grateful for the idea or the opportunity to do something in the future. In fact, some would say that being grateful for it before it happens is one of the surest ways to make it become a reality!
2. Make It Yours. While it may seem like a difficult task to sit down and write 100 things you are grateful for all at once, if you break it up and write 10 or 15 things at a time, this can make it easier - but it's up to you. You may want to do this exercise on your own, or with a partner. Some people like to write chronologically, starting with the first thing they can remember to be grateful for from childhood, and others just write in no particular order. There is no one particular approach that is right - just do what feels good to you, and do it in a way that makes you feel happy and grateful. This should be a fun exercise, not a stressful one!
3. Consider the "Why." One thing that many people find helpful when doing this exercise is to include not just what you're grateful for, but also why. When you write each item, consider including why you are grateful for it - what difference this thing/relationship/person, etc. has made in your life. This can really make the exercise a lot deeper and more meaningful for you.
4. Reflect On Your Results. This should be an exercise of real growth for you (although you can also do it just for fun and to bring more happiness to your life). Instead of just making a list and tucking it away somewhere, when finished, stop to consider how you felt about the exercise. Ask yourself what value you gained from it. What did you learn about yourself from doing it? What did you learn about happiness? Having done this exercise, how will it affect your life from now on? What will you do differently in your life as a result?
If you feel you need more guidance when compiling your own gratitude list, a quick search on Amazon.com can yield some helpful resources, such as this 100-Days of Gratitude Journal (you probably won't need them, but some may find it helpful). Or feel free to email me with any questions!
Thank you for reading - I appreciate you! :-)
Rose.
2. Make It Yours. While it may seem like a difficult task to sit down and write 100 things you are grateful for all at once, if you break it up and write 10 or 15 things at a time, this can make it easier - but it's up to you. You may want to do this exercise on your own, or with a partner. Some people like to write chronologically, starting with the first thing they can remember to be grateful for from childhood, and others just write in no particular order. There is no one particular approach that is right - just do what feels good to you, and do it in a way that makes you feel happy and grateful. This should be a fun exercise, not a stressful one!
3. Consider the "Why." One thing that many people find helpful when doing this exercise is to include not just what you're grateful for, but also why. When you write each item, consider including why you are grateful for it - what difference this thing/relationship/person, etc. has made in your life. This can really make the exercise a lot deeper and more meaningful for you.
4. Reflect On Your Results. This should be an exercise of real growth for you (although you can also do it just for fun and to bring more happiness to your life). Instead of just making a list and tucking it away somewhere, when finished, stop to consider how you felt about the exercise. Ask yourself what value you gained from it. What did you learn about yourself from doing it? What did you learn about happiness? Having done this exercise, how will it affect your life from now on? What will you do differently in your life as a result?
If you feel you need more guidance when compiling your own gratitude list, a quick search on Amazon.com can yield some helpful resources, such as this 100-Days of Gratitude Journal (you probably won't need them, but some may find it helpful). Or feel free to email me with any questions!
Thank you for reading - I appreciate you! :-)
Rose.
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