Gratefulness is the Key

Can you find ways to put gratitude into your daily routines?

We all have heard at one point or another that being grateful is such a powerful thing and can set the tone of your day.

In fact, Eric and I have been teaching our boys this for many years. We start our day eating breakfast together as a family and go around the table doing 3 things:

• We individually say I love you to everyone in our family and to God and state positive affirmations for ourselves (stay tuned for a blog post on this!)

• We say 1-3 things that we are grateful for

• We pray for someone (or more than one) person (whether in our family or outside)

I have spent many years creating a Morning and Evening routine that would help me feel accomplished whether my day went the way I intended or not. Why? Because as we all do, I wear 50 hats in one day. So, when one hat stays on longer than I would like, I have two choices: I could feel completely derailed and unaccomplished and start beating myself up (which believe me I have done many times before) OR I could say I started my day out right and I know I can end it right with what I do have control over.

So I “perfected” my routines; The key word being perfected! I am a perfectionist in a lot of areas in my life- so when things don’t turn out like I planned- like I mentioned above and I have to wear a hat longer than I expected- I can beat myself up.

I created a mini-routine that I could do in 10-15 minutes that would make me feel accomplished and help me start and end my day on the best foot. I have a hot beverage (coffee or tea) and spend 5 minutes with my Five Minute Journal and 10 minutes praying/ meditating. To me: Gratitude is a way to count your blessings daily!

asha

A thankful heart.

“A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues.”

- Cicero