Gratitude week is upon us! I think it is rather fitting that it should fall on Christmas week. For me, this week can easily deteriorate into a massive jumble of things I just have to get done and I could easily forget the joys and real magic of the season. Keeping gratitude front and center has the capacity to make all the difference and I plan to use this gift wisely!
Of course, it would be easy for me to spend a few minutes getting present to all the great things in my life as a way to get in touch with all my gratefulness however as I considered the topic I found myself gobsmacked — I just love that word! Hit over the head with obviousness, if you prefer, that the greatest gratitude gift I have is actually my completely human capability to create something new.
Not happy with how things went yesterday? When you wake today you have a completely new day to set things right. If “setting things right” feels too oppressive and not delight inducing, you could choose to forget everything from the day before and just start over!
You want to be kinder? Today you can make the day about kindness. Want to be frugal? Today the day can be about spending less. Want today to be about celebrating friendship? Then write cards or spend time with friends. Want to be more patient? Make the day about pausing before you act.
The day can be ANYTHING you like!
Sure, sure, I hear you saying, “But Kathy, I have some real problems.” I don’t know how we are going to pay the rent, or my sister stopped speaking to me, or I really do have a thousand things to get done today. Putting some new age spin on how I feel about the day is just NOT going to make a difference.
Well in this case, I just ask you to try it. Take 2 minutes and try this gratitude re-frame.
1. Take a deep breath. Get in touch with how you are feeling right now. Allow any pressures, annoyances, fears and worries to be there with you.
2. Consider what you have made these things mean. Ex. You have a concern about money and you tell yourself, “I’ll never get ahead.” Or you want to enjoy the holiday season but your to-do list is “miles long… ” and you don’t know how you will ever get everything done.
3. Think now about how you WANT to feel in your current situation. In my case, I want to enjoy the magic of the Christmas season and I don’t want to feel all the pressure to make things great for my family.
4. Imagine that TODAY, things could go differently then before. Today, you will add one thing to help you through your day. Today you will add gratitude for your ability to do something different.
5. Choose to do something differently. If you have hid your head in the sand regarding a financial matter, today you can choose to speak the truth to your spouse, family member or lender. If you run around like a crazy person “trying to get everything done” today you can spend an hour sharing a cup of tea, or hot chocolate with a loved one. If you have snapped at your spouse, child or co-worker today you can promise to be gentle.
6. Repeat the process as needed to get the results you want. In time you will develop the ability for a gratitude re-frame in seconds, until then try doing it as you start the next part of your day. If you are dreading or putting off anything, this is a clue that a gratitude re-frame might be needed.
Everyday and really every minute we can choose. The only question that remains is:
What will you choose today?
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Thank you for this Kathy. I, like you, get overwhelmed by all that I feel is expected of this season. I have done my best to be organised, but I have also given myself permission to let some things go. I work out what needs to be done and then if there’s time I’ll do some more. If not, I won’t beat myself up about it. I’ve actually found that I get more done this way!! So I’m grateful that I’ve recognised what my usual habit is and that it doesn’t have to be a habit!
That is great Karen! Isn’t it funny how hard it can be to let some things go… so happy to hear you are giving yourself permission!
Beautiful post!!!! I am trying to choose joy, too. And happiness. And strength. And spirit. Ok – all of the above! 🙂
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