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It’s day six of the 31 Days of Mindfulness Challenge and today’s task is to set a timer for five minutes and practice gratitude.
Day 6: Practice Gratitude
“The miracle of gratitude is that it shifts your perception to such an extent that it changes the way you see the world.”
— Dr. Robert Holden
It is a pretty common tradition to make a New Year’s Resolution. Sometimes, we spend countless hours, days, weeks, etc. thinking about what we wish we would have done in the current year and then all the things we want to have in the coming one.
What if we changed that story?
What if, instead of making a resolution for what we want, we took a step back and focused on what we already have?
There are countless studies and books and papers and articles about the positive benefits of practicing gratitude. For example, did you know it opens the door to more relationships? Or that it improves your physical and physiological health? That those who practice gratitude sleep better, are less aggressive, have a better self esteem and are more empathetic? (check out the full article here)
Practicing gratitude brings you into the now. Just yesterday, I was outside with the dogs, bringing the remnants of our entryway built-ins down to the fire pit and took a moment to sit in the sunshine and be thankful. Thankful that I could wear a sweatshirt in the middle of January and not freeze my buns off. Thankful that it was an absolutely beautiful day outside and I was able to enjoy it with the pups. Thankful that we were taking on another project and have the ability to make our home the way we want it.
It’s as simple as that, friends. You don’t need to make a grant gesture of thanks for every little thing but taking a moment or two from your day, every day, to say ‘Thank You’ will improve your outlook and make you a more mindful person.
Today, we’re diving a little deeper into the gratitude practice. Set a timer for five whole minutes and either write or think or say out loud everything that you’re grateful for. I will say, studies show the most benefits happen when you actually put pen (or pencil) to paper and write it out but do what works for you. The point is, you’re taking the time to reflect on all the good things you have in your life. It can be as grandiose as waking up alive and healthy to as minute as having shoes to wear outside.
Happy writing!
If you’re joining in, we’d love to hear what made it to the top of your gratitude list in the comments!
All our best,
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