"I'm reading this fab book..." Or "I'm doing this awesome course..." Or "I'm following this great blog..."
These are things that seem to come out of my mouth a lot at the moment. I'm in a state of change and growth right now, learning all these new ideas and working out what they mean for me and how to apply it to my life.
So gratitude. Being thanksgiving in America tomorrow means all my American online friends are talking of little else. 'Tis the season for giving thanks. So how does this apply to me and to my wee blog?
I love my life right now. I feel so lucky to have two healthy, happy, intelligent children. I have a wonderful, supportive husband. I have a loving family and inspiring, nurturing friendships. I am grateful to live in a safe country with plenty of food and fresh water and reliable electricity and opportunities and education... I could go on but the point of this post is not to list all my many blessings.
The point is that I am learning that my focused attention on all those blessings makes my life better. And this is a massive revelation for me. Practicing gratitude makes me happier.
I remember when I first learnt about gratitude journals - simply writing 5 things every day you are grateful for - I lived in the most beautiful location, with an enviable job, surrounded by wonderful people and I was unhappy. Very unhappy. Possibly even undiagnosed depression levels of unhappiness. I was a mess inside. This little practice helped to turn that around. To help lift me up and remind me of the small wonders that I had in my life.
I've grown a lot since those first forays into deliberately practicing gratitude. And my gratitude practice has come and gone over the years. What I have started to notice is that when I am consciously being thankful for the small things the big things fall into place much easier.
Currently I am playing a gratitude game on an app I use. 15 positive things a day. It feels like a lot and then as soon as I start they just flow and I realise again just how lucky I am.
Because I do forget. I do complain and moan and whine and stress and worry and get scared and feel ashamed.
And then I remember. I notice Zach's laugh or Will's enthusiasm. Or something. Some little thing reminds me that I have drifted away from being grateful again. It's not always easy to turn my mood around. But it's worth it.
I would like to remember that gratitude is magical. I know I'll forget again. Hopefully each time I forget I will remember faster.
Happy thanksgiving y'all. Thank you for being in my life.