Archive for November 2011
Each Thanksgiving in the United States, we give thanks for the many blessings in our lives. It’s a splendid practice for everyone to do! However, some of you may be feeling a bit stressed right now and somewhat challenged around being able to get into it. Maybe a few pointers about how to move into more gratitude could be helpful. Let’s start with this. Get out a piece of paper and write “I am so happy and grateful that…” across the top. Now write the following questions, leaving space in between for your answers:
- What is around me right now that I’m grateful for?
- Who am I being that I’m grateful for?
- What will I be grateful for?
What is around me right now that I’m grateful for?
The key here is to shift your focus from what you don’t have to what you do have. Shift from focusing on scarcity to focusing on the abundance in your life. Start small. Look around you. Don’t take anything for granted. What’s in front of you? What’s in the room you’re in? What’s outside the window? Make a list of whatever you see that you can say “Yes. I’m grateful for that” even if it is just a pen or a plant or a cup or a chair. Once you get going, this list could be endless!
Who am I being that I’m grateful for?
This one has a different twist. The key here is to shift from the physical “stuff” in your life to the positive “essence” inside of you.Look back on your day, your week, or your month. Where did you act from kindness, appreciation, generosity and/or love? When were you really present in the moment? When do you listen to your heart for answers? When did you learn a valuable lesson? When did you experience peace of mind? When did you really laugh? When did you feel good? When did you feel joy? Who were you being? Make a list of things like: I smiled at 3 strangers, today. I took a walk by the ocean and breathed in the salt air. I really laughed out loud twice. The love I felt while looking at my son that took my breath away. It’s so important to recognize these moments of being your most divine self.
What will I be grateful for?
Have you ever heard of “future gratitude”? This is where you are grateful now for things in your life that haven’t happened yet. How do you do that? Think about what would make you happy to have, be or do in your life. What would make your heart sing? What are your dreams? Now write it down in the present tense as if it has already happened. Here are some examples: People all over the world are buying my best-selling book! I am married to my perfect soulmate! I am enjoying my incredible vacation in Paris! At the end of this list, write “This or something better!” Keep reading this list and really feeling what it feels like for these dreams to be true right now.
How are you feeling now that you have completed this exercise in being thankful? I hope that you have experienced the power of gratitude to shift you into a higher, more positive vibration. Remember that feeling, and know that you can come back there at any moment by choosing to focus on what you are grateful for. This is especially important when the chaos of the Holidays starts to overwhelm you.
Remember that life is a gift, and you are responsible for receiving it.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all, this week and every day of your life!
With love and gratitude!
Cecily
P.S. My Holiday Gift to YOU!
If something in this article resonated with you and/or you would like some support to help change your Holiday experience for the better, I am offering a limited number of complimentary 30-minute, phone strategy sessions between now and December 31st. To schedule your free phone session, all you have to do is email me, and write “Strategy Session Request” in the subject line at cecily@coachcecily.com. Do this for yourself! You’ll be glad you did…
