We live in weird times. Some days I feel like the sky is literally falling and the end is nigh. Other times I feel deeply optimistic that everything is not only going to be okay but amazing. Like, we faced our flaws and prejudices and hates and conquered them for good. Of course, then the real world evades again and I want to crawl back into bed and pull the covers over my head. Like I said, weird times.
I Choose Gratitude Over Fear and Hate
I’m not going to lie: I’ve been in the dumps this month, partly because I ate everything and it shows but also just … well, the crapfest we call life these days. It seems like every day something happens to anger and/or frighten me. We live in scary times and sometimes I fall victim to the fear and go low. But for my sanity, my soul, I cannot live this way and find myself turning to gratitude to help me heal and find the light again.
5 Gratitude Exercises to Incorporate into Your Life
Living in LA, you see both extremes of affluence and poverty. I can stand at a stoplight and watch a Rolls Royce Phantom glide by while being approached by a homeless person, asking if I can spare a dollar. It serves as a constant reminder how fortunate I am, which is why I incorporate daily gratitude exercises into my life so I never forget. When things go wrong, my natural inclination isn’t to jump to gratitude and to give thanks for all the things going right in my life. My first thought is what did I do wrong and why it’s all my fault. It’s probably a bit narcissistic to think everything is about me. 🙂 All jokes aside, it’s why developing and maintaining a gratitude mindset is important to me.
What I am Thankful for This Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is almost here. I’ve got my stretchy Thanksgiving pants ready to go, so I can stuff myself silly with … well, stuffing. 🙂 Before I put myself into a food coma, I wanted to share with you what I am thankful for this Thanksgiving. I consider myself to be a grateful person, but I don’t always take the time to express my gratitude or give thanks for my blessings as I should. It’s why one of my annual Thanksgiving rituals is to write a list of all the things I am grateful for in my life.