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Let’s Face It – Most women have a conversation with themselves about not being thin enough or pretty enough.
And let’s face something else, one can totally get through life feeling ugly, fat and stupid and actually live to be 100.
There is no absolute law that says that if we practice gratitude and feel good about ourselves we will live to a certain age, disease free.
And while that all may be true, what I know for sure is that life is about choice.
And given the choice to live in gratitude vs. regret or given the choice to exercise or not exercise or eat whole foods or live on candy, I would choose the former on all accounts.
NO question…One of my students sent me this article on a man who exists on candy. And yes, is he disease free as far as we know? Yes and I would not trade his diet for mine any day.
So it is all about choice.
I choose to live in gratitude every day. I write a gratitude journal daily and say out loud at least once a day, “I have the greatest life in the world and I am lucky and feel lucky!”
That is all true for me, at my core it is true.
However, I have sad, mad, unhappy days and the key for me is to say those words even on days when I feel hopeless, in despair and bad about myself.
It is November here in America and I always get soooo excited on the second of every month. We have a canvas in front of us.
How will we use it?
We celebrate Thanksgiving later this month here in America. The holiday where we get to look at all we have and feel grateful for it. How many times as it been written, why make that a one day a year holiday? How about practicing gratitude and celebrating the abundance on this earth every day? Starting right here, right now.
I hope you will take my hand and play with me. Play Pinky with me by practicing gratitude in one form or another this month and see how you feel at the end of each day and at the end of the month. The key is to remember to remember and I have a feeling that once you start feeling really good, you will want to continue every day. And if you are feeling good and grateful and still find yourself falling back into some old patterns and behaviors and conversations, contact me here at OnePinky and I will take time to talk to you or turn you onto one of my brilliant Pinky’s who are walking through the fire with grace and love.
Like you Leah, Learning and Loving and Letting Go, OnePinky step at a time.
To Gratitude and Love and Healing!
Live, Learn and Let Go and LAUGH, LAUGH, LAUGH.
XO
Laura
Tags: abundance, candy, canvas, certain age, despair, diet, earth, gratitude journal, pinky, thanksgiving, whole foods
Yeah! Bring on the gratitude, Laura! I’m IN! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday as well and this is definitely the month for amping up the gratitude and feeling great-FULL! It begins within each of us, but the ripple effect spreads throughout…
I received this from my NIA instructor–GREAT info!
Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” ~Author Unknown
An Attitude of Gratitude
Evidence exists that supports the positive effects of gratitude on an individual’s overall health and well-being. Research shows that gratefulness is associated with things like:
* increased alertness
* enthusiasm
* determination
* optimism
* high levels of energy
* decreased levels of depression
* reduced stress
* more and better sleep
* increased physical activity
* more goal progress
An attitude of gratitude has also been shown to impact the physical body. Positive feelings initiate a chemical response that ultimately enhances immune function. In general, this translates to less health problems. Those that are ill but who practice gratitude typically exhibit a better healing response and have decreased risk for recurrence.
Steps to Cultivating Gratitude
1. Practice mindfulness. Quite simply, look for good and acknowledge it. No matter how slight, every situation offers us something.
2. Use affirmations. Create a positive statement that reflects your desired outcome and repeat it several times a day. It also helps to write it down and post it in a conspicuous location. Make sure the statement is in the present tense, relevant to you, and very specific.
3. Utilize cues. Small reminders can be helpful in increasing awareness. Try Post-Its or check out the the Mindful Clock.
Each time you come in contact with your cue, do a gratitude check-in and find something to be thankful for at that moment.
4. Act as if. Otherwise known as faking it until you make it. Did you know that just the act of forming your mouth into a smile releases positive emotion enhancing chemicals into your system? Act thankful, joyful, or optimistic and that will be your experience.
5. Make it known. Write down what your thankful for each day in a gratitude journal. It will be a constant resource for you to draw upon. Express your gratitude to others. Everyone thrives on being needed and appreciated. By sharing this, you pass on an invaluable gift. You can do this in person or by writing a heartfelt message of gratefulness.
So, with that, I wish you all a very great-FULL month! GRATITUDE–BRING IT ON!!! I am so very great-FULL for you, Laura, and all you wonderful Pinky’s!
**By the way, November is also POSITIVE MUSIC MONTH! If you’re a music lover as I am, and you’re looking for music to inspire and uplift, to help you to be brave and great-FULL, let me know and I’ll tell you all about it!**
I’m so glad to see people spreading the word!
As part of Posi Music Month, emPower Music & Arts is encouraging fans to participate in the Posi Music Diet – fasting from unhealthy music and listening instead to music that is healthy for the soul. This has proven to be a life changing experience for many people and they are asking for testimonials. Share your Posi Music Diet experience here: empowerma.com/PosiMusicDiet
Blessings,
Lori Zwermann
i am soooo glad you are too, thank you so much!
best, laura