So I was reading a great article on GRATITUDE earlier and then immediately after reading it, I scroll up the first link that catches my eyes "Looking Younger Secrets", which is a bit funny in a way, no?
Though I know I should be happy for what I have and who I am, there is an underlying impulse to always seek out something better. Does that mean I am not experiencing gratitude? That I am not sincerely thankful. Do you ever feel this way? A bit torn between what's right and wrong... where is the line and how do I make sure not to cross it?
The solution I came to... NO! This thought process is BS ;)
I can be full of gratitude and still crave change, growth, and betterment for myself. It is simply what we are all entitled to :) Gratitude for what we have in the present is actually the only true way to motivate yourself for future success. Without the ability to see the beauty in everything around you at any single given moment, one will never know true happiness. In in my personal experience without understanding true happiness and enjoyment, developing a life full of GENUINE success and happiness is impossible. It is best to live while "...appreciat[ing] again and again, freshly and naively, the basic goods of life with awe, pleasure, wonder, and even ecstasy, however stale these experiences may have become to others." This is a quote from Abraham Maslow, father of humanistic psychology.
Gratitude benefits us in an uncanny amount of ways physically and mentally:
1) cures negative feelings of greed, resentment, disappointment
2)supports overall well-being
3)allows individual to experience more feelings of overall satisfaction in life
4)boosts immunity
5)greater capability to cope with stress
6)and some studies show reduction in the risk of heart attacks
I am on a mission. My life has purpose that becomes more and more apparent each and everyday.
I am striving each minute of each day that I am awake to undergo positive change, in order to in turn better the world around me.
In yesterday's post (FIRST EVER !!!) I asked you, my readers, to tell me if you believe change is important and why or where you would like to see it. I got such an overwhelming response. Though I've only had 4 comments so far, I had a huge amount of hits and shares. This I am SOOOOO incredibly thankful for!
(Not because I overcame my fear and put my thoughts out for the world to read or because I am gaining "viral recognition," but because that means there is hope. After 3 hours of my blog being online, I had 150 views :) That means that 150 people are interested in BEING THE CHANGE. )
My mission in life is to make a difference in our world now and for future generations. As cliche as it sounds, this is what I want and what I believe we are all here to do. This blog helps me get one step closer to fulfilling my dreams :) and before going on I just want to sincerely THANK anyone who has given this blog a try. (THANK YOU, OBRIGADO, MUCHOS GRACIAS, LABAI ACIU, شكرا, HVALA, GRATIAS AGIMUS TIBI, TACK, DEKUJI!)
I strongly believe that without allowing ourselves to grow, love, and truly shine from within we will never be able to help another, no matter who that "other" may be.
For the next 21 days I am taking on a new practice to help me gain a little more awareness and appreciation for all of the wonderful ideals, experiences, and people around me. I will keep a gratitude journal for the next 21 days, starting today. So at the end of each post, I will share 5 things that I am randomly grateful for around me and then 5 positive characteristics about myself that I wish to continue developing. It is not only great practice to be thankful for the exterior wonders, but also for the great gifts you have within. Appreciation of the self, not only makes you more aware of your own greatness and ability, but increases those attributes for others to gain from.
This is where it comes full circle! As you appreciate the miraculous gifts around and within you, those gifts will begin to multiply and ooze from your pores like a beautiful glistening light that everyone around you will begin to notice and appreciate as well. Which, if everything works as planned, will light a fire inside of them to begin changing for the better.
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” ― Mahatma Gandhi
So today I will share with you my 10 Gifts of Gratitude:
1. waking up this morning full of energy to get started with another day
2. having a colorful, nutritious, and delicious breakfast and lunch
3. being full of ideas to blog about while in the shower
4. the bright sun shining to warm the cold snowy streets in Vilnius all day :)
5. the urge I have to get in a fierce workout and yoga routine after this blog
1. I love that I am pushing my own limits and testing my coruage each day
2. Hitting the weights has really increased my confidence
3. My motivation has been accelerating daily
4. Interacting with people all over the world makes me so much more personable
5. Practicing yoga daily has immensely improved my focus and ability to concentrate
So there you go. 5 things I am grateful for today and 5 positive characteristics that I am feeling fueled by :)
I hope this has inspired some of you!
I would be so pleased if this encourages anyone to follow along on my 21 days of thanks and join in! Just by leaving your 10 Gifts of Gratitude daily below in the comment area, you can greatly improve the quality of your day!!
Here is to another beautiful day!
Besos Bloggers.
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