Moving beyond your daily gratitude list
We have all heard about the life-changing effects of gratitude, but is it possible to take this practice beyond your gratitude journal? How can you practice gratitude throughout your day. In real life?
During our Sunny Sunday Yoga class yesterday, I shared one of my favorite mindset shifts with the class. It is actually a gratitude practice that is hidden in a subtle shift of language.
Shifting from the mindset of “I have to“, to “I get to“. There are so many tasks and mundane to-dos throughout the day and if you observe your language, you are most likely saying things like, “I have to go to the store”. Or, “Oh, I can’t meet for coffee this afternoon, I have to pick up the kids from school”. “I have to take time off of work today because I have to go to a doctor’s appointment”.
What if you shifted your mindset, and even your verbal language to say, “I get to pick up my kids this afternoon!” Do you feel the shift? Sure, it is another thing on your list for the day, but you know what?
There are many people in the world, and probably in your own circle and community, who are praying to “get to” do the things that you feel you “have to” do.
Having children, your job, access to medical care, the ability to go grocery shopping… these are all privileges. These are actually things for which we can be feeling, and expressing, gratitude.
So give it a try this week. Start by observing your thoughts and your language and notice when you might be sitting in an energy of obligation and frustration with your to-do list. Is there any opportunity to shift your mindset into a space of gratitude? Are you able to take a step back today and recognize how blessed you truly are?
Start out with the little things and then move onto some of the more challenging moments of your day. An argument with your partner? You get to take some time to reflect and learn more about yourself, your needs, and the needs of your partner. You get to improve your communication to help alleviate some of this tension in the future and improve your relationship. A conflict at work? You get to stand up for yourself, honor your boundaries and remind yourself of your worth.
So, you see, your gratitude practice can go beyond listing five things you are grateful for at the end of the day. It can be a constant practice and reminder throughout your day. A constant opportunity to check in and reevaluate your mindset and choose to make this simple, life-changing shift.
Let me know how it goes!
xo,
Jennison
