What's Good???

Good Morning!!! Tuesday Gratitude Practice is here!!!  How will you take what you are grateful for through the rest of your day?  This isn't just about writing it down and sending it back…  put it out there!  Let the world feel your appreciation!  Let's make a difference. 

This only  takes a few moments to do but gives to you for much, much longer.  So put down whatever you are doing and take a couple of minutes for yourself.  Every Tuesday morning I am going to ask you to write down 5 things that you are grateful for and email them to me (keep for yourself as well).  What are you feeling gratitude around?  Here are mine for this week:

Naps.

Push-ups.

Understanding.

Kindness.

My Work.  

There are no right or wrong answers.  It is about what you are grateful for.   It is proven that doing this once a week for three months (actually just 9 weeks) makes you happier, healthier, exercise more and less sensitive to perceived slights.  You will sweat the small stuff less and focus on what really matters.

So… what are you waiting for???

Food for thought:

How often do you take things personally?  Every day? Once an hour?  Every other moment?  How often do you believe that someone did something to you?  Do you think that the way someone behaves is a direct result of how they feel about you?  I am all about self-care, self-focus and self-love.  I practice and I teach it, however, taking things personally is none of the above.  It is an ego puffed up to the size of the sun.  You are not the reason someone feels, does, behaves or believes no matter how many songs say so.  

What someone is doing is a direct result of how they are feeling, thinking or believing.  You are but a pawn in their universe, honestly.  Think about it.  Say you are having a day where you just don't feel good.  You cannot pinpoint the issue so you are simply irritable.  You then go to get some tea at your local breakfast spot.  They give you the wrong order and you are curt with them.  You feel justified because they f'ed up your order and you believe it is their fault for your response.  They may believe that as well.  Blame laid, blame taken.  All is jacked in that scenario.  Now switch over to another universe with the same scenario but a different 'you.'  You are happy because you just found out you won a trip to Barbados through a random drawing at work.  You skip to get your tea, they mess up the order, you then do what?  You let it go and smile as you imagine laying on the beach, soaking up the sun.  

When you recognize that you are not the reason for someone's feelings a burden can be released.  This burden, that stems from the belief that you cause another's feeling(s), is one that only gets heavier over time.  We behave the way we feel, whether we are consciously or unconsciously.  Taking something personally is the true display of egotism.  It is saying that all things are about you.  You are why someone is pissed off, you are why they are happy, you are why they are late, you are why they came early, you are bladiblah.  Sorry, but you aren't.  You behave based on your feelings of right or wrong behavior, what should or should not be, what you like or don't like, etc.  You are a direct result of you… same as everyone else.

Next time you think something is about you, that someone is doing something to you, look in the mirror and recognize yourself as the only one that will and can do that.  

xo

a