Ann recently sent out this great reminder to us Pinky’s on  facebook about the benefits of GRATITUDE…

She replied to my call for declaring  this month gratitude month everyday…

Here is what Ann shared with us.

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!

Isn’t this just the best?

Ann, I, we thank you and praise you for being here on the earth spreading your light and love.

I am grateful to you,  Leah, and all of my Pinky’s.

You all Rock!

I love you, XO

Laura

Don’t you agree, time does fly whether you are having fun or not, so might as well have fun…

Your weekend plans sound lovely…so lovely. I hope you are having fun.

What movie did you and Leigh watch?

I hope you enjoyed it.

So we are at day 67 of 91! WHOOOOAAAAA, time is flying.

Someone was asking me yesterday,  what I have learned through this process so far?

It actually reinforced my muscles!

I have 2  very strong muscles in my body, one is called commitment and the other is called determination.

If not now, when were the words that guided me into changing my life drastically 22 years ago.

In the movie I saw yesterday called SKIN, (which is by the way a must see, Google it!), the central theme that ran through the story was the father’s message to his daughter which was, “NEVER GIVE UP”.

The character, and this is based on someone’s life story,  said those words guided her through the hardest times, so I say to you all, NEVER GIVE UP….and there is always support, always community outside of our mind to hold and support us.

Like right here at OnePinky.

Let’s celebrate what we have done thus far Leah, we are muscular gals, ey?

Bathe in these affirmations and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

“The love I have for myself radiates out and attracts others who also love themselves”

“I  live in a loving world and I know I am loving and worthy of love”

“To thine own self be true”

Oh and Leah, welcome home to your Mum.

I hope that her homecoming has been great for you all.

XO, Laura

This story proves that the power of creating our body image revolution lies in social media! Case in point: I met this wonderful, vibrant , fully alive gynecologist named  Dr. Lissa Rankin on Twitter. Dr. Lissa is a gem, and one of those women who has mastered using both the left and right sides of her brain. She is amazing… did I tell you just how great I think she is?

Lissa has created a community called Owning Pink.  (You may also know Lissa from her work with Betty Confidential.com and College Candy.com. )

She contacted me because she felt we were sisters of  PINKY POWER - both dedicated to helping women learn to love and own their bodies. We simply fell in love and a lifelong friendship has begun – from one single Twitter post!  Yes, Twitter!

Lissa is a huge OnePinky fan, and she and I will be holding a workshop in September  in Northern CA (you cannot miss it)  called “Owning Your Body” and we want all of our Owning Pink and OnePinky sisters to join us!

Listen to what Owning Pink and OnePinky gals have to say about these programs:

“The past year has been a journey of discovery for me. I learned more about who I am and how I want to live my life than I ever imagined was possible. Never had I dreamt that there was so much depth to the universe and so much simplicity all the same. I go through each day with the philosophy that ‘thoughts become things.’ Therefore I simply have to imagine what it is that I want for myself and my life, visualize it, feel it, put an action in place that corresponds with my desires and anything I want is truly possible.”
–Megan of Owning Pink

“The big mental shift I have had since the joining OnePinky.com is the glorious realization that my body is a temple.  It is loving, efficient vessel that holds all that is me. After that, health is pretty much a given. Prior to OnePinky.com or attending one of free Laura’s teleclasses on the phone, I took everything about my body for granted. Now it is simply a priority and feel today that it always will be, even though I am still young. I am back to working out regularly because regular exercise and conscious eating are important to and for my temple. Emotionally, there has been an awakening of the knowing that I am beautiful just as I am. NOW. Period. All the time. This prompts me to continually affirm this in my mind and heart. As a result, I AM more Free, Open, Peaceful and happy about my body. There is less judgment, pressure and comparing myself to other women. Whatever path my body is currently on is the right one for me. The time for my heart and body is NOW. Thank you Laura. You are a love.”
–Jennifer of OnePinky

Body Love, Pinky Power… Body Image Revolution… a Love Fest… I am blessed… to live in a time when we can connect at such rapid rates… and blend and support and hold one another’s work and movements.

If you’d like to help get the word out about OnePinky on Twitter, please feel free to do so here!  Or tweet @LissaRankin …

Pinky Power! Pinky Promise! Owning Pink! YES!