13A- Gratitude

I hope you are enjoying the postings so far.  After looking more in depth at what we are attracting(last weeks topic), the next step is to look at gratitude.  Gratitude is defined as a feeling of thankfulness or appreciation.  When we are working on attracting the things we want in life, it is very important to be gracious for the things we have and for the things we attract.  I know sometimes it is hard to be thankful when we are going through a particularly hard time, but if we are able to look at the good we have, then the bad may not seem quite so challenging.

I am in a book club and our book this month was 102 Minutes: The Untold Story of the Fight to Survive Inside the Twin Towers.  After reading this, I am truly thankful to be alive and to have so many wonderful friends and family in my life.  I can't imagine what it would have been like to have family or friends that were part of this and I can't begin to fathom what it would have been like to be inside the buildings when they collapsed.  Reading this book really put my "struggles" in perspective for me.  I have an opportunity to participate in life and so many people lost that on September 11.

Another thing happened recently that gave me additional perspective on what I have to be gracious for.  In NC, quite a few tornados came through our state and there was so much damage and there were innocent lives lost.  The tornado came close to my neighborhood and it has really affected my community.  To see and hear what others have lost has really hit home.  Some of the stories are heart wrenching.  Not being in the storms path is something I am very thankful for but my heart goes out to those that were affected.

No matter how bad things seems, try to find something to be gracious about.  Most of the time, it could be worse, right? 

Questions:
Either journal about the questions or spend some time thinking about your answers.
- Do you show gratitude in your everyday life?
- What are you gracious or thankful for?
- What do you have in your life that you feel good about?
- What is something good or positive happening for you right now?
- How can you be more gracious?

Fieldwork:
Write down the things you are grateful for.  When you are struggling with something, bring out your list as a reminder of the good in your life!

Topic 13 Bonus Challenge:
Don't just think about what you are grateful for this week. If you are grateful for something that involves others, tell them. Share your gratitude!

Quote: Melody Beattie- Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.

  

I feel truly blessed for all I have in my life and I hope you feel the same about your life!  Enjoy the journey!
Coach Gaye