10 Minutes of Gratitude Goes a Long Way

Gratitude is one of the best intentions you can hold in a day.  It not only makes you feel happy for what you have, you actually begin to have more people and things to feel thankful for.  In addition, you begin to feel happier and more fulfilled.  The following are some gratitude tips that you can integrate into your day in as little as ten minutes:

Begin each day either while making breakfast, taking a shower, brushing your teeth, or the first two minutes that you wake up focusing on gratitude. Brainstorm all of the things, people, events, and circumstances you have to be grateful for. (Suggested time: 3-5 minutes)

Ask yourself: what, in my life, do I have to be grateful for.  It is more powerful if you write your list down in a gratitude journal; however, if you just want to think of what you are gratitude for, you will benefit greatly from these focused thoughts. Writing them down will solidify them into your day.  You will see your list grow very rapidly. (Suggested time: 2 minutes)

At lunch time, ask what in my day do I have to be grateful for? Again, just think and brainstorm. (Suggested time: 2-3 minutes)

While making dinner or driving in the car, what happened in the last few hours that I am grateful for? (Suggested time: 2-3 minutes)

The last thoughts of your day can be a two minute day in review of all of the people, events, and experiences you have to be grateful for. (Suggested thoughts: 2-3 minutes)

Here are some categories to get you started:

·         Life goals: I am excited, grateful, or happy that I________

·         Career and education: I feel proud that I ________,I felt   successful when I________.

·         Family: I am lucky that I have ________. My ______(brother, sister, aunt, cousin, dad, mom, child, uncle, partner) is amazing.

·         Friends: My friends are amazing because, I feel close to ________. I am lucky that he ________.

·         Health: I wake up each day with the ability to breath, think, get out of bed, be productive, walk, see, hear, feel and feel good. I am grateful for ________.

·         Finances: I feel like I have enough, I feel like I am working toward my goal of ________. I feel comfortable, I have everything I need, etc. I feel secure.

·         Abilities and talents: I feel successful at ________. I am able to ________. I am proud that I can ________. I am creative, kind, funny, etc ________, ________, ________.

·         The basics: I am grateful for food, shelter, water, sleep, and the ability to think and act freely, etc.

Challenge: try this for one week and see what happens to your mood. Try it for two weeks and see how you begin to feel. Try it for one month and notice the shifts that begin to take place. 

Super Challenge: Make it a part of your daily to do list and see the abundance that begins to develop. We wish you the best of luck with integrating and growing the gratitude in your life. 

"Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance." - Eckhart Tolle

Anne Vidovich, M.A. Claim Your Life Coach/Parent Educator www.claimyourlifenow.com, www.loveoflearning2.com

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