I have a hero and her name’s Brene Brown! I binged on her audiobook The Power of Vulnerability – she’s so insightful and hilarious. Brene’s PhD work uncovered how to live whole-heartedly, and identified shared markers of all full-hearted people. She says:
Without exception, every person I interviewed who described living a joyful life or who described themselves as joyful, actively practiced gratitude and attributed their joyfulness to their gratitude practice.
It’s not an attitude of gratitude, but an actual daily practice that does the trick. After realizing this from her research, Brene implemented a family dinner ritual in which they all go around the table and say what they’re grateful for that day.
So I created a list called my “Gratitude List.” I add three new things daily. I started posting them on Facebook, which seems to remind other people to count their blessings too – bonus!
If I notice stress or self-pity rise up in my body, I remember to open up my notes and add three things to my Gratitude List.
This simple practice reprograms my neural pathways, re-focusing my energy to be grateful. All of a sudden, I’m back in the present moment, which is usually quite beautiful. Fears and worries dissolve.
I love this simple practice and I highly recommend it.
I’d love to hear about YOUR gratitude practices! Let me know!
♥ ~ Meghan Oona
portfolio | shop | facebook | pinterest | instagram | email | newsletter
