Attitude of Gratitude!

 

When we returned to Seattle, we returned to unusually cold weather for this time of the year and then woke up that next morning to snow! And, it snowed all weekend on and off!

It was pretty amazing to have been out in the sun and 80 degree weather 2 days before and then being suddenly into the low 30’s with snow.

I found it interesting to observe how I was thinking and feeling about these contrasting experiences.

I also focused on how fortunate my husband and I were to have been able to be in Florida when we were and to have experienced the sun and warmth and the playfulness of the dolphins.

It changed how I was feeling.

Instead of complaining and feeling agitated by the external circumstances of weather, I experienced gratitude for what we’d had in Florida and how I now got to enjoy and marvel at the unique phenomena of early snow in Seattle.

When I made that decision to fully appreciate both situations without feeling the loss of one or the burden of the other, I allowed myself to really be present, to feel open and to receive the gifts I’d been given on both sides of the US!

Gratitude truly is an attitude.

We can cultivate the attitude of gratitude by consciously choosing to shift our attention to being thankful, even if in the moment we don’t “feel” like it.

Recognizing that feelings can easily come and go, when we decide to intentionally harvest positive attitudes such as love, joy and gratitude, we literally change how we experience our world.

That’s what happened to me.

It wasn’t a life changing event, yet it changed how I was thinking and feeling right then and there. I felt a lot better than I had been feeling moments before.

As we approach our American holiday of Thanksgiving, a time we often think about what we are thankful for, including the bounty of the foods we partake in, I’d like to invite you to shift your focus on what it is you appreciate in your life right now. It can big or small or both!

What is it in your world, when you look at from the perspective of an open heart, love or simple appreciation, allows you to shift from feeling distressed, discontented or just plain ole “out of sorts,” to more inner calm, aliveness and/or feeling grounded?

If you take a few moments right now and give yourself this experience of shifting your focus from what it is you are feeling not so good about, to something that turns the lights on the darker feelings, even if it’s just a small shift from where you were, it’s guaranteed to open the gates of your heart to good feelings of well-being, joy, peace and love.

Now, that’s something to be thankful for!

Enjoy the experience!

Wishing you and your family, friends and even your furry kids a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!

Warmly,

Jackie

PS-Be sure to watch for my “Small Business Saturday” sale of my book and Cyber Monday’s sale of the Kindle version.

Comments below on gratitude greatly appreciated!