Belief Makers

In my opinion, one of the easiest, fun and most impactful tools to become happier quickly is: doing gratitude. Notice that I write "doing gratitude", not "experiencing gratitude". Mark's next blog-post will explain this in depth. He loves explaining things like this!

For now, just know that even when I am very grumpy and upset, as soon as I start doing gratitude, I immediately move to a more peaceful, comfortable place within myself. Doing gratitude helps me to see that the thing I am worrying about is small and just one thing compared to the greater things out in the world.

The way I do this is very simple. It starts with saying "I am grateful for" and then I add something behind it. I repeat this for an extended period of time. Below you can find one of my grateful episodes as an example of this fun exercise.

I invite you to inspire yourself by implementing a "being grateful" period in your life every day.

I am grateful for my wonderful loving husband. I am grateful to be healthy. I am grateful for my "children" and "grand children". I'm grateful they are happy and can live their lives independently. I am grateful for being able to pursue my passions. I am grateful for you. I am grateful that Jeanette could visit us last week.

I'm grateful for sushi. I am grateful for the wonderful house we are living in. I am grateful to have a drivers license. I'm grateful to be able to work with so many different, beautiful people. I am grateful that everyone does the best they can with the knowledge and skills they have. I am grateful there is chocolate. I'm grateful for the beautiful teachings David gives me three times a week. I am grateful for all the wonderful days of sunshine.

I am grateful that the color of snow is white. I'm grateful that Logan is running now. I am grateful that love can be found everywhere. I am grateful that we have challenges in life that help us grow and become even more wonderful human beings. I'm grateful for big bookstores. I am grateful that I can work while drinking coffee at Fuel and meet amazing people at the same time. I'm grateful there are no longer mice living in my house. I am grateful that my car was not damaged when I slid down the driveway. I am grateful that the really slippery weather is only a few times a year.

I'm grateful for my warm soft bed. I'm grateful for washing machines. I am grateful for clean water. I am grateful that there are people who are working to end world hunger. I'm grateful for the scientists that work on understanding cancer, HIV and all other diseases. I am grateful for Obama. I am grateful for being able to live in the beautiful Berkshires. I am grateful for the deer walking through my garden.

I am grateful that the skunk I smelled the other day was not near my house. I am grateful for all the opportunities that come to me every day. I am grateful that I am never bored. I'm grateful I am in control of what I think and feel. I am grateful that I can decide what to do every part of my day. I am grateful that there is fun and playfulness possible at any time. I'm grateful I have the ability to smile.

I am grateful my hair is growing. I'm grateful that I have been able to enjoy life for 37 years now. I am grateful that I am an Option Process mentor and that I can help people help themselves. I'm grateful that more and more people participate in the "A New Option" group and blog. I am grateful that there are always more new and exciting things to explore and do. I am grateful that we can make changes anytime we want.

I'm grateful that I can be grateful any time I choose. I am grateful that no-one is the same. I am grateful that I can eat spelt. I am grateful that I can share this. I am grateful that I know how to do the grateful exercise!

Labels: all blogs, iris tuomenoksa, philosophy