Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance. —Eckhart Tolle
Anniversaries. They serve as reminders and times of recognition for the things that we have in our life, as well as a mark for us to reflect on things that we’ve lost. Today marks six years since I had a stroke. I have a sense of gratitude that is indescribable about my health and about the body and mind’s ability to accept and repair itself in the face of crisis. While some people have faced the devastating nature of a stroke, and then had to deal with significant consequences, I was blessed. I had a stroke and three surgeries later, I had the hole in my heart repaired and lost only partial vision in one eye. I have been blessed with good fortune and amazing people who have supported me in my life. I believe I took my life and my health for granted before any health problems, and I'm happy to say that I now have a sense of gratitude after taking a glance back in time. The practice of gratitude, or something that I may have done from time to time prior to my health crisis, however, after, I made it my business to make a part of my every day. Noticing the “little things” seemed much more important to the broader picture in life. If you’d like to increase gratitude in your own life or create a gratitude practice in your own life, perhaps you’d enjoy some of these: 1. Start a gratitude journal where you can log the small blessings you’ve experienced for that day. 2. Reflect on people who inspire you 3. Reflect on a skill you have that you are grateful to have 4. Reflect on your ability to learn from mistakes 5. Think about 3 great things your future may bring Practicing gratitude is a skill! You can build it up with practice and it comes with great outcomes. Studies have found that just by acknowledging the good things we have in life we increase our ability to manage stress and it gives us a sense of more hope for the future. And who couldn’t do with a little hope nowadays.
I hope that you end your day with more joy than you started it with today and that reflecting on the goodness and the blessings brings you hope for a better tomorrow!!
Have a great week!