positivity through gratitude
Rewire your brain by recoding life’s best moments
Do you have 6 minutes? Six minutes to watch this video and hit the reset button for the new year. Six minutes to pause and find that thing that we are all hungry for: a sense of peace, abundance and gratitude. The value of counting our blessings is not a new concept. But for those of us who feel a bit hardened by life’s hardships, this moving piece by filmaker Louie Schwartzberg will inspire even the most hardened skeptics among us.
“If you do nothing else but cultivate your response to gratefulness…to respond as if today was the first day of your life, and the very last day, then you would have spent this day very well.
Begin by opening your eyes and be surprised that you have eyes you can open. That incredible array of colors that is constantly offered to us for pure enjoyment.
We usually just think of good weather or bad weather. But we don’t think of the nuances of weather…that this formation of clouds in the sky will never be the same as it is right now.”
Tools of gratitude
Here are 11 tips on how to turn discomfort into joy. It expounds on the benefits of keeping a gratitude journal. Author Louise Jensen had acquired a disability. She reflects how “Life was perfect. I had so much to be grateful for, but then it was suddenly snatched away….I was left with constant pain, immobility, and three children who I felt I couldn’t care for properly. So what did I have to be grateful for, right?” Hopefully, it won’t take a life changing disability for us to wake up and take notice. Our favourites from Louise include:
#3 Don’t Wait for the Right Time
#5 Focus on People, not Things.
A gratitude journal can take the form of the old fashioned pen-and-paper, or an app for those who prefer instant access on-the-go. “Rewire your brain by recoding life’s best moments” is their tagline.
But, we understand. Journallling is not for everyone. Allison Jones, editor of Idealist.org, writes “Keeping a gratitude journal is a nice idea, but it can actually backfire and make things worse.” A dedicated believer in the power of gratitude, Jones takes a different tack: “Instead of focusing on the idea of gratitude, I’m much more specific about completing acts that demonstrate gratitude. Am I being patient and helpful? Am I inviting folks out for coffee? Am I letting people know that the work they submitted is fantastic and how they are truly helping me?”
On that note, we at Root Whole Body would like to say:
Thank you…
As in: We’re grateful you’re here.
As in: When you contribute to our community, it’s magical.
As in: We’re stronger with you here.
As in: We couldn’t do it without you.