Gratitude as a Way of Life

“The thing to do, it seems to me, is to prepare yourself so you can be a rainbow in somebody else’s cloud.”Maya Angelou

A few years ago I started the meditation practices of Oprah and Deepak Chopra on Manifesting Grace through Gratitude, introduced to me by my friend May. While my husband could not quite understand that I needed this, because he says that I am already always thankful. Yes, I am thankful. However, what was missing was giving myself the time to really appreciate life and what I have. When I run around, feel overwhelmed and stressed, the gratitude can easily slip away.

 

I have been journaling off and on for over 20 years. Meditation was a way for me to figure out my feelings. Lately I had been feeling stuck in my own thoughts. The same issues and feelings kept coming up. It was like that hamster in a wheel. What I was journaling about needed to change.

 

My roles as a woman, wife, daughter, and business owner shifted fairly recently. What life brought to me was even more responsibility. Responsibility which I willingly took on, yet at times it weighed heavily on me. In order to shift gracefully, I have to be still and be grateful in the present moment. I cannot get to the next moment without being present in this one first.

My friend Ana introduced me to the 5 Minute Journal which I practice daily (well almost daily) if not writing, then at least thinking about it.

 

 

Transitioning my thoughts has created more gratitude for the things I do have. The more I acknowledge the good things in life, the more I have to be grateful for. A shift has happened. Every day I sit down and think of three new things I am grateful for and what would make it better. I write an affirmation of what I want to manifest. At the end of the day I write down three amazing things that happened. Sometimes it is as simple as giving a smile to a stranger, and the stranger smiling back.

 

Life has shifted for me and so have my priorities. This has not been an easy transition. But doing the work of meditation, having a gratitude practice, and the reminder wearing my Power Ring gives me, helps me to consciously aim to be a rainbow in someone else’s life.

I am grateful for my husband, my friends, my family, my clients and my health. I am grateful for how I live and for the ability to do what I do. It is a tremendous gift to help others honor themselves and their relationships through creating  jewelry. Thank you for being part of it as I would not be here without you.

I would love to hear from you about what you are grateful for.

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