Quote from Parenting the Gratitude Habit

“The richness of gratitude is not in the use of words but in the heartfelt response to something, someone, or some experience. Words can be the messenger but the heart provides the power and the source of light to the thankful.”  ~ Wendy Meg Siegel, from Parenting the Gratitude Habit.

First, there is a prompt that engages our heart and we find ourselves in a state of gratitude. This may have been triggered by a personal experience or as a witness to someone else's words or actions. We might be responding to the beauty of an image or a piece of music, or reacting to seeing a newborn, a sunset, or the crashing of ocean waves.

Meaningful feelings develop within ourselves as we experience the grateful moments of life. Acknowledge those moments and allow yourself to fully experience the gifts. Feel the way your inner-being processes thankfulness throughout the day. Let it light you up. This is where the true power of gratitude resides. And then, by sharing those grateful feelings, with your words, you are spreading the gratitude habit to others.

The words I wrote in the last post seem to beautifully describe some of the ideas expressed in this quote.

Gratitude Quote: Quoting myself

“Gratitude lights up my inner world and I feel as if I glow.”  ~ Wendy Meg Siegel

What can I say, but when I fully allow myself to get caught up in a state of gratitude, I feel as if I am filled with light. The glow begins at the heart, as it's center, and then it grows from there until I am fully lit from within. In those moments, I know my being cannot contain the expansiveness of that light and it seems as if it must be radiating out from my core to my entire world.

True gratitude begins with and flows from the heart.

Gratitude Quote: Stendl-Rast

"Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hand, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy - because we will always want to have something else or something more." by Brother David Stendl-Rast

Gratitude is an easy path to happiness. Grateful people find greater satisfaction with their lives and experience a higher level of happiness. They are able to find the good in the ordinary and difficult moments, not just the wonderful times. Their perspective on life has them looking for the positives even in the most difficult of times.

To learn more about Brother David Stendl-Rast visit: Gratefulness.org

New Gratitude Quote: Richards

“Grateful souls focus on the happiness and abundance present in their lives and this in turn attracts more abundance and joy towards them.”  ~ Stephen Richards

A positive attitude is the natural result of gratitude. It generates a greater sense of optimism. Grateful people are better able to see the positives even in the challenges. They are able to focus on and appreciate what they have rather than on what might be perceived as missing. Grateful individuals become more "attractive", attracting more to be grateful for because it is in alignment with the way they view their lives and the world around them.

Grateful for a Walk on the Beach

Day 3: Thirty Days of Gratitude for Our Earth

I am so very thankful to live near the coast and have the opportunity to walk barefoot in the sand during much of the year. I love walks on and near the shore. There is such a sense of peace in being there.

A walk on the beach is like going on a mini vacation. It feels as if the "to do" list has been left behind, along with any stress, concerns, and busy thoughts. Spending time at the shore must be one of the greatest tools for stress management. It's almost immediately refreshing.

For many of us, a seaside excursion can have a powerful impact on the way we feel; a sense of peace, an inner healing, and/or an experience of greater energy (as if a switch has been turned on). Why do we as humans feel such a strong connection to the ocean? Here are some thoughts I have on the subject:

• First of all, the ocean is so vast and much bigger than anything in our lives. When standing at the shore, it is impossible to truly see it in its entirety. We become a bit smaller in our minds and the ocean becomes awe inspiring.
• It is a multi-sensory experience with the sound of the waves, the smell of the sea air, the 360 degree visuals, the feel of the sand enveloping our feet with every step, and at times you can almost taste the salt in the spray of the mist in the air. This total process of immersion seems to transport you to another dimension, outside of your daily routine.
• As humans we live on land yet when we are born we are 78% water. So, do we feel at home by the shore? Is it like returning to our roots? 
• Or is our presence in the vicinity of the moving ocean a reminder of the movement of amniotic fluid that surrounded us before birth?

What would you add to this list?

Whatever the reasons for being so attracted to the ocean, I feel very thankful to have grown up on the East Coast of the U.S., not far from wide expansive beaches. And now I am thankful to live in California, on the West Coast, very close to a magnificent coastline. I never tire of strolls by the shore, walks on the beach, and any chance to view the crashing waves.

The Gratitude Habit: Image Play

Four Days to the Book's One Year Anniversary!!

Almost two years ago, after becoming immersed in gratitude, I spent an afternoon playing with the camera and some scrabble pieces. I had fun placing the letters on several of my paintings, spelling out thankful, grateful, thanks, and gratitude. That was during a period of time when I became involved in every gratitude activity I could think of. This was part of the process of filling my world with gratitude from morning till night.

This image is one of the photos I took during that afternoon and I would love to create another photo shoot to play with words and images once again. I will post something if and when I do.
 

I Am Grateful: Past, Present, and Future

There are so many things to be grateful for in my past, my present, and the future.

The Past: When I look at the past, I can choose what to focus on. I can choose what defines me. I may select painful memories and give them life in the present rather than letting them go. I may choose to focus on the many blessings of my past, and be thankful for them. Whether I deem any point in my history to be good or bad, a blessing or a curse, a positive or a negative, everyone of those moments have helped shaped me and brought me to where I am today. So, I have much to be thankful for in my past.

The Present: As I look around me, to the many gifts of my present day life, I have much to be thankful for. I have a family I love, a home that supplies shelter, redwood trees outside, a dog to cuddle with, creative outlets, a laptop computer, a washer and dryer, running water, food to eat, joy in my heart, and so much more. Are there difficulties? Yes. Do they negate all the positives? No. I have many reasons to smile throughout the day and I take the opportunity to do so. I am so very thankful for all that I have and the wonderfully gifted moments throughout any given day.

The Future: When I think of the future I get an inner flutter of excitement about the unfolding future and the possibilities of openings, surprises, and wonderful delights ahead. This is not to say I don't ever worry...I do. But there is so much to be thankful for in the future. I like to give thanks for all the gifts in store for me, for the possibilities, and benefits. If I am hoping for something in the future, I give thanks for it manifesting in my life, as if it has already happened or it's on the way.

Giving thanks for the past, present, and future doesn't deny the difficulties of life. The question is...Why deny all the gifts of life, and all there is to be thankful for, by allowing the painful moments to take center stage?

What are you grateful for today?