We live in a super busy world that has us plugged in 24/7. Sometimes we don’t think we have time for a cup of coffee, let alone reflection.
The Importance of Reflection and Gratitude
- An uneventful or even a disastrous day is oftentimes filled with valued gifts when we take a moment to reflect upon them
- Gratitude is one of the most important components for attracting prosperity and abundance
Benefits of Reflection
- Stronger Emotional Intelligence
- Stronger Integrity and Leadership
- Stronger Self-Confidence
- Personal Growth
- Stress Relief
- Success Evaluation
- Goal Setting
- Increase in Happiness
Tips on Reflection
- Try a daily journaling practice
- If that is too much, try starting a “one-line-a-day” journal
- Choose a time and place to practice self-reflection
- Go public with some of your ah-ha moments by using social media
Benefits of Gratitude
- Recent research shows that people who frequently feel grateful experience:
- increased energy
- more optimism
- increased social connections
- more happiness in life
- Grateful people are less likely to be:
- anxious
- depressed
- self-absorbed
- greedy
- suffering from substance abuse
- struggling economically
- having sleep issues
- be sedentary
Tips for Remaining Grateful
- Start regularly practicing gratitude—become mindfully aware
- Keep it personal
- Think of something new every day
- Stay focused on everything that you do have going for you
- Spread gratitude often
- Share your gratitude aloud!
- Turn your failure into positives
- Get outside more often
- Use your “wasted” time in a worthy way
There are many ways to add the practice of gratitude into your day so that you stay focused on appreciating the amazing things you have in your life. Here are a few simple ways to add more feelings of gratitude to your life, starting now.
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- Compliment a stranger—how many times have you admired someone’s haircut or blouse, but not complimented them on it? Start today!
- Let someone ahead of you in line—remember how it feels when you have one item, and all the people in front of you have a shopping cart full? Guess what? Everyone feels that way. The next time you get the opportunity, let that person go in front of you.
- Avoid negative media—it’s tough to stay focused on all the surrounding goodness when you allow
- all the negative news in the world to play in front of you every day. Find positive TV, movies, and other media to watch instead of Fox “News.”
- Cherish your friends—when was the last time you told your BFF how much you appreciate them being in your life? Not because of anything they’ve done, but just for loving and supporting you throughout your life’s journey.
- Listen deeply—so often, when we listen to someone speak, we are planning what we will say next. Notice how often you do that and practice listening intently to the person, even if they are telling you about something that doesn’t interest you.
- Go outside and relish—most of us don’t get out into nature as much as we should. And that’s a sham
e because we miss so many wonders! Go outside more. Watch a hummingbird at your feeder. Enjoy the beauty of the natural world.
Practice not complaining—when you notice how often you complain, you’ll be amazed! One day a week, practice not complaining and reframe everything to put a positive and grateful spin on it. And mean it!
