Gratitude is what I start my day with. I used to end my day with gratitude, but have found that offering up a word or prayer of gratitude before I start my day does wonders for my mental state. I used to wake up anxious each morning, anxious for the surprises the day might bring. I don’t do surprises, I’m a planner. Before I open my eyes, before my feet touch the floor, I make it a habit to say something like…I am thankful for my warm bed, thankful that my legs work, thankful for vision to see what lies ahead. Thankful for the breath I am able to take.
Because I start my day this way, I am forcing myself to change my thought processes, to snip away those annoying anxious thoughts right out of my head. The anxious thoughts were sometimes so intense, my day would start and finish in that same way. Sometimes I would be too tired, frustrated or just forgetful to give thanks.
Gratitude doesn’t just do something to you mentally, it does something to you physically. I have more energy, more hope, more joy, my physical health has improved, my craving and desire for things unhealthy fade away – all from saying a few things I am grateful for. I journal it and for some reason writing it down is like speaking it out loud and it really sticks. I am changing my habits.One way to change a habit is to repeat it over and over again. It may be challenging but if you stick to it and remain faithful to your commitment to have an attitude of gratitude you just might bless someone else and help them change their habits as well. Thinking children here…(insert side eye and grin).
As a coach, this is an exercise I encourage my clients to do. They have found that the more they do this, the more the express gratitude to God, to the universe, to themselves, they are finding it much easier to show that to their families, friends, in their workplace and in their community. It changes things, it changes them big.
Be blessed!
Aw, this was a very good post. Taking the time and actual effort to generate a very good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate a whole lot and never manage to get anything done.