“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” ~ William Arthur Ward
A few weeks ago I shared my daily practice of gratitude with you. Spending a few moments each day thinking about three things that I'm thankful for that day. Small things, you know... like today it was peanut butter, being able to replace a tube in a bike tire myself, the fact that I even own a bike.
I'm not always very consistent with things in my life but my gratitude practice is one constant. It has been a very powerful practice for me. I have noticed a shift in my happiness and an increase of amazing opportunities flowing into my life.
In fact, I was beginning to think (my braggy brain) that I was becoming pretty "good" at being grateful.
Enter...a new perspective, a lesson and the timing is always bang on!
I was talking with a very dear client of mine the other day after her session, about gratitude. (you'll know who you are in a moment) Then we started chatting about our plans for the rest of the day. I said, "I have to go to the grocery store, ugh...
(insert eye roll here) I really dont like going to the grocery store" She paused, smiled and looked at me and said, " or...You could be grateful that you aren't digging around in a dumpster or on the streets in India"
And you know what, she was so right. It was a fantastic "self check" moment.
I'm grateful to have clients who trust me and value my work, grateful for a few dollars in my pocket to go to the grocery store, a car to get me there, a home with power and utensils to cook with, a healthy digestive system to enjoy good food. And the list goes on. It is endless.
Enough "is" Enough
I love that line from the opening quote, "gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings" and with the official day of Thanksgiving coming up next week, it makes me pause to really think about how I want to spend the day.
I'm so happy to be able to spend the day with one of my kids, my youngest son Sam and doubly happy that we've registered to volunteer together at a soup kitchen, on a meal assembly line and then will deliver meals out in the Wilmington community. I can guarantee we will have some laughs along with some humbling moments and there is nothing that I would rather be doing that day.
I am grateful to my three adult children who, over the years, have come willingly with me to soup kitchens, toy wrappings, supported my fundraisers and enthusiastically rang bells for Salvation Army.
I invite you to take a look around your community and practice gratitude by giving back.
I promise you wont have to look very far.
Find Time, Make Time, Give Time.
Here are some links to a few organizations in your area:
Wilmington NC
https://www.capefearvolunteercenter.org/
http://vigilanthope.com/
https://www.lcfh.org/
Hilton Head & Bluffton SC
http://www.sandalwoodfoodbank.com/
https://www.deepwellproject.org/
https://hospicecarelc.org/
I would love to hear your stories about gratitude, giving back and the organizations that you support and could use our support.
May you be happy and healthy and turn each day into thanksgivings.
Shine On
Shannon
https://www.integrativerelaxation.com/