With the pandemic fears have most of us still living a cautious scaled back life, our eyes now drained from online zoom visits and each day blurring into the next it is important to focus on our field of energy to stay in that spiralled up state where we can experience the best of our circumstances. One fabulous energy tool to support this principle is the active act of daily appreciation. The intention I like to suggest we resonate with is:

“I appreciate 3 good things that happened for me today.”

There is a lot written about the benefits of having an attitude of gratitude, but perhaps one of the most amazing facts is how it can be used to tame the tiger within called anxiety or fear. When we spend as little as 3 minutes appreciating ourselves, our loved ones, the people we work with, the day, the weather, our neighbor, a home cooked meal or a restaurant treat, our vehicle, mother nature and anything else you can think of …. amazing things start happening in our brain. A chemical is released which anchors and expands our feelings of gratitude and squeezes out or cancels fear and anxiety.

The more we practice verbalizing and thinking about how grateful we are, we become more calm and relaxed, handling challenges with ease. If life challenges seem really overwhelming and that there is little to be grateful for, start with the smallest thing – the weather, your home, your pet etc.In the beginning, our fear and anxiety button may feel more real and easier to engage than being grateful. Saying gratitude statements may feel less than genuine.

However, I encourage you to hang in and keep flinging gratitude statements whenever you can. Soon your outward experience will come zooming home with positive results. For example, I noticed that when driving, if I forgive those road ragers or overly aggressive drivers and focus on the great roads, the clear map directions, the gift of GPS, how wonderful the city is for maintaining the roads etc. my actual driving experience returns some delightful surprises – very convenient parking spaces, the traffic cop waving me through a construction area unexpectedly, drivers being courteous and traffic flowing better than usual.

Keep your attitude of gratitude sharp. Quick name 3 good things that have happened for you today:

1.

2.

3.

Here are mine: I am grateful that today

1. was a beautiful warm sunny day here in Toronto with a gentle breeze that kept my apartment cool.

2. a friend that sent over a home cooked dinner (so that i didn't have to cook)

3. That i made the time to work on a long standing sewing project revitalizing old pillow cases with new trims, recycing a sheet to make ruffles. (it was a fun project that helped me to integrate a new pattern of spending time doing creative things)

How about you? What 3 good things that have happened for you today?

with love and light 

Carolyn 

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