Morning Gratitude

Happiness - it's right in front of me if I'm paying attention and practicing gratitude - Brene Brown

As I mentioned in the last week's Gratitude blog, I will be touching upon the topic of gratitude throughout the holiday season. 

I am a true believer in the idea that gratitude should be incorporated 365 days a year and this post will discuss more on how to do this in the simplest of ways. 

Gratitude is kind of a magical ingredient; it opens doors where one never thought they were and brightens even the darkest of moments. 

As I mentioned in the Self-Compassion & Self-Awareness blog, self care tools are something that you have to make a habit, and these tools are very counter-intuitive in our current culture. Utilizing the self care tool of gratitude daily will assist you in making it into a routine, with immeasurable returns. 

One of the easiest ways to create a gratitude habit is by incorporating it into one's morning routine in the first few minutes upon waking. As you begin the day, even before getting out of bed, there are 2 things that can be done: 

1. Deep breathing: take a few deep breaths in and out. Just like we discussed in Monday's blog Breathe. 

2. Extend Gratitude: mentally (or if you prefer writing it in a journal) list 5 things that you are grateful for. One of those things must include is YOU. 

We often forget to extend gratitude to ourselves and this is critical for healthy well-being. Please be gentle with yourself in this process. This is all new and will never be perfect - and that in and of itself is perfect. 

Beginning the day with deep breathing and stating what you are grateful for brings about ease and calm and lays an incredible foundation for the rest of the day…no matter what lies before you. I dare you to try it for one week and see what beauty unfolds.