GRATITUDE IS A SUPER POWER
๐Itโs Fall Yโall! ๐
And the season of gratitude.
I know, I know, like 2020 deserves any kind of gratitude, BUT really, through tough waves of challenge after challenge ... there is always something to be grateful for. After all, having gratitude is a super power!
We are officially into the third season of this year and it's a chance to let what is no longer needed to pass along. To be re energized from the crisp, cool air in the mornings and to soak up every ounce of vitamin D we can while the sun is out and shining. This gets less and less as the days go on, so don't procrastinate, get outside!
A change of season also gives a great opportunity for reflection, planning and goal setting. You can do all or just one of these actions, but I feel, if you start with reflection it naturally flows into planning and setting goals. As we are quickly getting washed into the final months of 2020, setting goals seems a bit daunting. Truth be told. I've struggled with this since about March 26, 2020.
It doesn't have to be.
Goals don't have to be big and extravagant. In fact they don't even have to really look like goals. What I have found has really charged up my energy and enabled me to power through the last 6 months is G R A T I T U D E.
This will be my goal for the rest of the 2020. To continue to have gratitude. To live from the place of gratitude. To repeatedly identify what I have to be grateful for.
Now, don't be alarmed when I tell you this, it's simply stating a fact.
We are naturally lazy.
Sorry, not sorry, it's true. Our bodies are naturally lazy and it is naturally easier to be negative than positive. UGH .... we have to work for gratitude.
YEP! We have actively seek it out and choose gratitude.
So, how do we do this?
We just start. Start small by finding one thing to be grateful for in this very moment.
As I am sitting here, writing this, I am looking at a cloudy, breezy day with scattered sprinkles falling down. I am grateful for a day that inspired me to stay inside and be focused on computer work. I don't love being in front of the computer nearly as much as I love being outside soaking up the vitamin D I mentioned earlier. Sometimes I need the push to stay inside and do the "working " part of my business.
Pause right here.
Take a moment and identify one thing you have gratitude for.
Now allow it to grow from there.
It could be an adventure you are planning, getting the opportunity to get to a yoga class and move your body. It simply could be the change of the season.
Here's a few of mine to maybe get your stream of gratitude flowing.
1. More time with my family
We had an absolute blast road tripping this summer. Getting in more hikes that we have in the past, simply because of the lack of work schedule. Being so exhausted at the end of the day from adventuring about that the last thing we thought of was to connect to a screen or device. We've connected more and had more manful conversations in the last six months than we have ever. If could be in part the fact that the kids are getting older, but it helps when we strip down the distractions and simply spend time together.
2. Chance to nourish my body, physically and mentally.
The last six months opened up a whole lot of guiltless time for me stay committed and diligently working on myself. More back deck yoga sessions, more time to log miles running and the unique opportunity to be involved in some virtual SUP races, I wouldn't of otherwise been able to attend. The training for the SUP races really sparked a drive I don't normally have in the summertime. When I'm usually hustling pretty hard to keep the business up and running (yep, one woman show right here!) I try to reserve my free time for the family and my fitness goals seem to wait until fall, when the kids are supposed to be back in school. This was a huge opportunity for gratitude to fulfill these goals, stay on track and end summertime stronger and more dedicated than ever!
3. Space to Breathe
I couldn't have had as much gratitude for the first two things if I didn't have this. Space to breathe. I fall into the hamster wheel all too well and often. Allowing my mind to be busy, sometimes so busy that it caused me to hold my breath and shut down. I noticed that pattern happening quite a bit ending 2019 going into 2020. And to be fully honest, with as much as I disagree with a lot that has gone on for the last six months, I am so grateful to have the space to breathe. Space between my actions, reactions, space between events and gatherings. Space to realize how little I actually need as long as my family is together, happy and living life.
Now for your call of action .... Charge up your Super Power of Gratitude!
It's time to reflect on the positives that came to us over the last 6 months ... Believe me, there are positives. Take the time to identify all you have to be grateful and notice your mood change after.
Happy Fall and remember, just Breathe and paddle on!