Today’s article is about gratitude and celebrating ourselves! Where is the source of our joy or misery? It all resides inside this complex mechanism we call our brain. More specifically, our thoughts, emotions, and the stories we tell ourselves. We are the architects of our happiness and sometimes, let’s be honest, our own misery.
Our minds can sometimes get stuck in the past, replaying negative experiences like a broken record with unpleasant lyrics. Instead of getting stuck in that loop, we can try to learn and grow from those past challenges. Cultivating gratitude is a powerful tool in this journey. From personal experience I know it's not a walk in the park, but it's totally worth the effort, even on a rainy day.
The more we work on understanding ourselves, healing from past wounds, and building inner strength, the better equipped we are to create a positive internal environment that supports our goals. Our needs, likes, and dislikes, our unique value systems – these are what make us individuals. Spending time understanding ourselves is crucial for a fulfilling life. Our attitude often plays a more significant role in our success than external circumstances.
Change requires acceptance and awareness. To grow, we must first acknowledge who we are now. Rejecting parts of ourselves because we don’t like them, hinders our growth because we're denying reality. The greatest growth comes from simply accepting ourselves, flaws and all. This opens up new possibilities. To unlock possibilities, let's give our brains a different focus nudge – like tickling them with a feather duster of new perspectives!
Writing down things you're grateful for even from unpleasant memories isn't just a feel-good exercise; it's a proven method for boosting happiness. The more you make it a habit, the happier you'll become. Gratitude keeps us in the present and expressions of gratitude don't have to be grand gestures. Small things count! The sun shining outside (a real treat, especially if you live in the UK!), a walk in nature, a clean keyboard, ready for inspiration to strike, your favourite meal, the smell of new books (I love that feeling!), playing your favourite sport – get creative and find what brings you joy!
Write about the hidden superpowers you possess. Reflect on how awesome you are and all the things you are doing brilliantly. Describe a situation when you did something you are proud of. Share stories of times you overcame obstacles. Write about the moments of pure joy, the times you felt like a superhero even if it was just conquering the world in your pink pyjamas. Write about the people in your life you are grateful for. Write about a specific memory with them that gives you joy. Just write to celebrate yourself! Today, you are bestest!
If you're looking for some inspiring prompts to get your creative flowing, head over to Grafto. May (although it’s only February) the force be with you, as you conquer the world (or at least your today's to-do list)!
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