Showing posts with label Good Health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Good Health. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

16 Ways to Develop an Attitude of Gratitude

Making an Attitude of Gratitude a Habit

I know I have come a long way in the last few weeks by following the practices outlined in The Magic by Rhonda Byrnes but I also know I have a long way to go still.

I don't know about anyone else, but when I am learning something new, I need to review it several times before it sticks. I have decided to write up a summary of calls to action from the book. It will be a reminder at a glance of the different ways I can integrate gratitude into my life and make it a habit.


Developing Your Attitude of Gratitude

  1. Each day make a list of ten blessings which occurred today and why you're grateful.
  2. At the end of the day, hold your magic rock and say the magic words, thank you for the best thing that happened to you during the previous day. 
  3. Carry your magic rock with you as a constant reminder to be grateful. I keep mine in my change purse.
  4. To make a relationship flourish, list five reasons you are grateful for that person. Do this to improve a relationship with someone you are having difficulty with. It will also give you more patience, understanding, compassion, and kindness.
  5. Post a note to yourself in a conspicuous place, " THE GIFT OF HEALTH IS KEEPING ME ALIVE." and I want to lose weight so I am going to add, "I AM GETTING SKINNIER EVERYDAY."
  6. Post a note to yourself in a conspicuous place, " THANK YOU FOR ALL THE MONEY I'VE BEEN GIVEN THROUGHOUT MY LIFE." and I am going to add "MONEY COMES EASILY AND FREQUENTLY."
  7. While at work, look for as many things as you can to be grateful for and say, "I am so grateful for ________. Thank you, thank you, thank you."
  8. If you think or say something negative, stop immediately and say, "But I have to say that I am really grateful for ________"
  9. Before you eat or drink anything, take a moment to look at it and say thank you.
  10. When you receive a bill write across the front of it, "Thank you for the money." Once you have paid the bill, write across the bill " Thank you - Paid."
  11. When you wake up to a new day say thank you that you are alive and that you have been given another day of life because each day is a gift. Continue saying thank you as you touch each item during your morning routine. I like to also say, "today is a great day to be alive!"
  12. Keep a list of your dreams, your wishes. Strike them out once you have received them and add new ones as they appear. When you add a new item say thank you three times and feel grateful as if you have already received it.   OR   Create a magic board and title it with THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU in big letters. Attach pictures of all your desires.
  13. Print the magical cheque and write it out to yourself with the amount of money you want and post it someplace you will see it often. When you look at your cheque picture yourself doing or having what the money has given you.
  14. Magically transform mistakes into blessings. You you make a mistake, create a list of ten reasons you are grateful for making the mistake.
  15. Magic Mirror. Whenever you see your reflection say thank you. If you are feeling brave, say three reasons you are grateful for being you.
  16. Magic Dust. Think of gratitude's energy looking like magic dust. When you express gratitude to someone for something received from them, you are sprinkling magic dust onto them. Be grateful and say thank you to another person for anything you receive from them. It is vital for improving your life.
This is my Gratitude Practice List. I am going to print it and put it on my magic board and on the refrigerator and on my nightstand and . . . You get the picture.

Do you have a Gratitude list? How are you going to continue integrating gratitude into your life? 


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Thursday, September 13, 2012

Or Does It?


Well, I hope you were thinking about your answers to the gratitude questions. I am ready to explain my answers.

Lets begin.
  1. The cure for broken or difficult relationships? I agree. It is impossible to be angry with someone once you have listed off all the reasons you can think of to be grateful to that person. Day three was Magical Relationships. If you haven't completed this practice, I suggest you put it on your agenda for tomorrow. You will be happy that you did.
  2. The cure for lack of health? I don't know about this one. I'll have to reevaluate it a later time not because I don't think it works but because there was no real opportunity to test it out.
  3. The cure for lack of money? Again, I don't know if gratitude is the cure for this one but I do have to admit that gratitude has opened my eyes to see the abundance of money in my life.
    •  I will give you a couple of examples from yesterday. I was out looking for a new table and chair set. I went back to Martins Furniture. The salesman gave me a five percent discount for being a repeat customer. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Money comes easily and frequently. 
    • We also have a one in three chance of winning our purchase for free. Isn't that incredible. We will find out tomorrow. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Money comes easily and frequently.  
    • And lastly, we were driving home when we spotted something in the middle of the road. Michael slowed down, opened his door and picked it up. I know this is silly but, it was a new roll of duct tape. I don't know what its value is but again, thank you, thank you, thank you. Money comes easily and frequently.
  4. Gratitude eliminates fear? Off the top of my head I have to say that I can't think of an example to prove this theory. Perhaps I just haven't had      the right circumstances.
  5. Gratitude eliminates worry? I will have to dig deeper for the answer to this one.
  6. Gratitude eliminates grief? The answer isn't jumping out at me. Get back to me later. Oh silly me! This question is pretty much the same as number seven.
  7. Gratitude eliminates depression? I definitely agree. It is absolutely impossible to be depressed when you are grateful for all the people, events and things in your life.
  8. Gratitude brings solutions to problems? I have to think more on this one. I guess Rhonda is referring to Day 7, The Magical Way Out of Negativity. It is on this day that we were to choose a problem or negative situation which we would like resolved and to list ten things we are grateful about it. Rhonda's reasoning is this; ''The answer to any negative situation you want to resolve is to focus concentrated gratitude on it until you feel better inside; then you will see the magic work its wonder in the outside world."
  9. Gratitude brings the opportunities and wherewithal to realize your dreams? I don't have an opinion on this one yet.
  10. Gratitude brings happiness? I agree one hundred percent. This is pretty much the same question as number seven and so is my answer.
  11. Gratitude brings clarity? I have to think more about this one.
  12. Gratitude brings patience? Yes it does. 
  13. Gratitude brings kindness? Yes to this one too. Day 10, Magic  Dust Everyone teaches us to be grateful to everyone we encounter. As Philo of Alexandria is quoted to say, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."
  14. Gratitude brings compassion? Three times a charm. That is a yes. I'll bet you thought I skipped question number 12. Well I guess I did but I am addressing it here and now. I think patience, kindness, compassion and understanding all go together and are learned through Day 10's practice.
  15. Gratitude brings understanding? Yes!
  16. Gratitude brings peace of mind? And YES again! You will fee an overwhelming sense of peace of mind when you practice gratitude. When you truly feel gratitude deeply peace of mind will settle down upon you like a warm blanket on a cold night. I didn't know how else to explain it. I don't ever recall feeling peace of mind like I have since I started practicing gratitude.
On that note, I want more. And I sincerely hope that you do too.

How would you describe peace of mind? Please share in the comments section provided. Thanks


Wednesday, September 12, 2012

The Magic Never Ends

Day 30?

If we are counting, this would be day thirty. This blog was originally suppose to be only 28 days but it appears there is more to share than previously anticipated. Good or bad, you can decide. I choose good.

So let's continue.

I would like to share a quote that Rhonda has included in this chapter.

"I started out giving thanks for small things, and the moe thankful I became, the more my bounty increased. That's because what you focus on expands, and when you foccus on the goodness in your life, you create more of it. Opportunities, relationships, even money flowed my way when I learned to be grateful no matter what happened in my life."
Oprah Winfrey (B.  1954)
Media Personality and Business Woman

And this is what Rhonda Byrne has to say about gratitude;

"Gratitude is the cure for broken or difficult relationships, for lack of health or money, and for unhappiness. Gratitude eliminates fear, worry, grief, and depression, and brings happiness, clarity, patience, kindness, compassion , understanding and peace of mind. Gratitude brings solutions to problems and the opportunities and wherewithal to realize your dreams." Page 252 of The Magic.

Wow, she has a lot to say in that paragraph and for the most part, I agree. 

Let me explain.
  1. The cure for broken or difficult relationships? I agree. 
  2. The cure for lack of health? I don't know about this one. I'll have to reevaluate it a later time not because I don't think it works but because there was no real opportunity to test it out.
  3. The cure for lack of money? Again, I don't know if gratitude is the cure for this one. 
  4. Gratitude eliminates fear? Off the top of my head I have to say that I can't think of an example to prove this theory. Perhaps I just haven't had the right circumstances.
  5. Gratitude eliminates worry? I will have to dig deeper for the answer to this one.
  6. Gratitude eliminates grief? The answer isn't jumping out at me. Get back to me later.
  7. Gratitude eliminates depression? I definitely agree.
  8. Gratitude brings solutions to problems? I have to think more on this one.
  9. Gratitude brings the opportunities and wherewithal to realize your dreams? I don't have an opinion on this one yet.
  10. Gratitude brings happiness? I agree one hundred percent.
  11. Gratitude brings clarity? I have to think more about this one.
  12. Gratitude brings patience? Yes it does.
  13. Gratitude brings kindness? Yes to this one too.
  14. Gratitude brings compassion? Three times a charm. That is a yes.
  15. Gratitude brings understanding? Yes!
  16. Gratitude brings peace of mind? And YES again!
I will give you the reasons behind each of my answers on my next post.

What do think about Rhonda's comments on gratitude? Wrong!. Just kidding. There are no wrong answers. Just different opinions.

And I would very much like you to share your opinions. 


Saturday, August 25, 2012

Day 24 - The Magical Wand

Magic Wand

"People who wait for a magic wand fail to see that they ARE the magic wand."
Thomas Leonard (155-2003),
Personal Development Coach

Rhonda says, "Using gratitude to help someone else with his or her health, wealth, and happiness is the single greatest act of gratitude you can perform. And one of the magical things about it is that the health, wealth and happiness you fervently wish for others, you also bring to yourself." Page 210, The Magic.


The Assignment

Today's assignment is to choose three people that I care about and want to help with more health, wealth, happiness or all three. 

Holding a photograph of one of my loved ones I must visualize that person giving me the news that they have received health, wealth and/or happiness. I follow this with a sincere "Thank you, thank you, thank you for ________'s health, wealth or happiness."

Repeat this for the other two loved ones.



Gratitude Stone

I was most grateful for the abundance of food in my refrigerator and cupboards because I can look in there any time I want and find something good for my granddaughters.The peace of mind this gives me is sublime. Thank you, thank you, thank you.



I Am Grateful: (Day 18)

  1. That Christina came out for ice cream and the park with Destiny and Emily because the more the merrier. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  2. For money because it comes easily and frequently. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  3. For another beautiful day because I enjoy being outside on days like this. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  4. For my house because it provides shelter for all of us. (Nicole, Nick, Sidney, Gary, Faith, Christina and I. Plus our two cats and two rats. Hay, that rhymes.) Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  5. For the mortgage being paid on time, two months in a row because it is a huge relief knowing we don't have to worry about foreclosure. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  6. For another day at home with the ones I love because each day is a precious gift. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  7. For the shampoo I used today because it cleans my hair  without residual conditioning that makes my hair greasy the next day.Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  8. For my washer and dryer because it is a convenient and efficient way to get our stacks and stacks of laundry completed. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  9. For my sweet granddaughters who make each day full of sunshine and happiness. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  10. For my new bras because they are so comfortable and pretty. Thank you, thank you, thank you.


The Challenge

I have to say that I have not printed a picture in about three and a half years. I have digital copies saved in about five different places. Yes, five. I am so paranoid about losing my pictures that I need five different locations and media to save them.

So, finding a picture means digging through books that have been left to gather dust. Ah-choo! I am allergic to dust.

Okay, I looked through my photo albums. It apparently has been longer since I last printed a picture. It has to be more like ten years. 

My daughters are so young and absolutely beautiful. I forgot how adorable they were (and still are). And my Mom? Holy cow she has lost a lot of weight. I wish I had more recent shots of them but this had to do.

Oh, sorry I forgot to tell you who I chose but I guess you have already figured it out. 

I chose my Mom because she has had a hard life struggling with money and happiness. She is in good health overall but it could be better.

I chose my three daughters because they battle depression and anxiety. Money is an issue for them. And I worry about their health. Beth's hands cause her so much pain. Nicole's jaw condition gives her excruciating headaches and Christina seems to be having some sort of seizures which she refuses to see the Doctor about.


Conclusion

I liked today's practice. I have wished for more for my loved ones but not where I actually take the time to feel the happiness it would bring to them. I imagined their big smiles. My daughters jumping up and down with joy. My Mom waving hundred dollar bills in the air. A smile just naturally spread across my face and left me feeling elevated.

I hope your practice went well. Please feel free to leave a comment. I would love to hear from you.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Day 16 - Magic and Miracles In Health

Gratitude Creates Miracles

"Natural forces within us are the true healers of disease."
 Hippocrates (Circa 130 - Circa 370 BC),
Father of Modern Medicine

Rhonda says, "Gratitude is one of the fastest ways  I know to magically begin experiencing the full state of health you are meant to have in your body and mind. All the miracles of healing we see happen are simply the result of full health being restored instantly in the human body, where before there was less than full and perfect health. If you don't think gratitude creates miracles in your health and body, then read some of the thousands of miracle stories on The Secret website: www.thesecret.tv/stories." Page 149, The Magic.


Thank You for My Good Health

Today's assignment is to remember three times in my life when I felt on top of the world and say thank you three times.

  1. After I had Christina, I lost my baby fat, went to the gym regularly, quit smoking and was physically fit. It was the first time in my life that I felt so good.
    • Gary and I took the girls on a day trip bicycling on the trails. Beth and Nicole were about nine and seven. Christina was two. I had a kids seat which Christina was strapped into. We had such a wonderful time. I felt so healthy, fit and strong. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
    • Gary and I took the girls to Elora Gorge to climb around and have a picnic. It was another wonderful day. I felt so alive and energized. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
    • Gary and I took the girls camping. The weather was perfect. We all had such a fantastic time. I was biking, swimming, walking, running . . . I was active and full of life. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I am also suppose to think of five body functions that are working good and give thanks to each one. 
  1. I am grateful for my brain. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  2. I am grateful for my eyes.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  3. I am grateful for my ears - hearing.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  4. I am grateful for my lungs.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  5. I am grateful for my heart.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Lastly, I am to choose one thing about my body or health that I want to improve and spend a minute visualizing myself with the "ideal state" then gave thanks for it.

I am picturing myself running - easily - my heart and lungs are strong.  My feet are hitting the pavement in a steady rhythm  Beads of sweat role down my temples. My face muscles are relaxed as I simply catch my stride and I get my second wind.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.


Gratitude Stone

I was most grateful for all the sleep I had today. I was sitting in a chair in the living room and just dozed off. I don't know if anyone tried to wake me. I was just thinking, thanks for letting me sleep everyone. Sometimes you just have to give in to it and rest. Thank you, thank you, thank you. 

Gratitude Journal

I Am Grateful: (Day 16)

  1. I am grateful for the time I had with Christina because those times are rare and far between these days. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  2. I am grateful to the judge for revoking the warrant. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  3. I am grateful to the duty counsel for her understanding and advise. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  4. I am grateful to my Mom for watching Faith while Christina and I took care of business. And got some shopping in. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  5. I am grateful to Gary for giving me some money to spend because shopping always puts Christina and I in a good mood. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  6. I am grateful to Nicole for the use of her car because mine is still sick. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  7. I am grateful to Faith and Sidney for their smiles, hugs and kisses because they are the rainbow in my day. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  8. I am grateful for my home because I love being here in my sanctuary. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  9. I am grateful for another day at home with my family. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  10.  I am grateful for another day here on this planet. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
At first I found it difficult thinking of three times in my life when I felt so good because I was grouping that whole time period together as one but then I realized there were separate occasions during that time period that I felt alive.

I enjoyed closing my eyes and visualizing my ideal state. I can see it perfectly. Too bad I can't take that picture I created and plop it down in this blog.
I hope you enjoy this practice as much as I did. As always, I am waiting to see some comments. What did you see when you envisioned your ideal state?

Tomorrow looks like a promising day. It is number 17 on this magical journey. This chapter is called, THE MAGIC CHEQUE.  This is probably the most recognized item in The Magic and The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. I am definitely looking forward to this one.

Friday, August 3, 2012

Day 4 - Magical Health

"The greatest wealth is health."
                       Virgil (70 BC-19 BC),
                                  Roman Poet

This is so true. When I am sick, I am consumed with thoughts of getting better. The illness imposes restrictions on me and my quality of life is reduced. 


I tend to be grateful everyday for the health of my loved ones. I need to remember to be grateful for my own health.





Gratitude Journal

Today's assignment is to be grateful for my health. 
  1. Thank you for my legs and feet because they are my main form of transportation in my life. I use them stand up, sit down, exercise, dance, climb stairs, drive my car, and walk. My legs give me freedom to enjoy life. 
  2. Thank you for my arms, hands and fingers because they are the major tools in my life and I use them nonstop all day long, every day. They allow me to write, eat a meal, use a phone or computer, shower, get dressed and do everything for myself.
  3. Thank you for my amazing sense of smell because it enables me to experience the beautiful fragrances of life: flowers, perfumes, clean sheets, dinner as it's cooking, a fire burning, the on a summer's day, freshly cut grass.
  4. Thank you for my precious sense of touch because  it enables me to feel objects or physically express love or receive it.
  5. Thank you for my eyes that enable me see everything. My eyes enable me to see the faces of my loved one and friends, read printed books, newspapers and emails, watch television, see the beauty of nature and most importantly, see my way through life.
  6. Thank you for my hearing because it enables me to hear my own voice and other people's voices so I can talk to people. It enables me to use a phone, hear music, listen to the radio, hear my loved ones and the sounds of the world around me.
  7. Thank you for my brain and beautiful mind. It processes over a million messages a second received by senses. It enables me to sense and experience life.
  8. Thank you for my organs because they sustain my life by continuously filtering, cleaning, and renewing.
  9. Thank you for my strong and healthy heart because it keeps the life flowing to every system in my body.

Last Nights Gratitude Stone

After reviewing my gratitude list from today I decided I am most grateful for  My Mom because she came to my home as usual on a week day to take care of her Great Granddaughters and her baby - me. I love my Mom so very much. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Okay, as you see the stone is still not painted. I am now thinking I should just get a new stone because this one is a bit too big. Tomorrow is another day.

Gratitude Journal

I Am Grateful For: (Day 4)
  1. Nicole for spending time with me. Thank you, thank you, thank you.  
  2. Money because I was able to purchase clothes for Faith and Sidney. (It will be Faith's first day of school. Sidney will be starting senior kindergarten.) Thank you, thank you, thank you.  
  3. The sub I had for supper today because it not only stopped the hunger pangs, it was also delicious. Thank you, thank you, thank you.  
  4. My car for transporting me every where I wanted to go today. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  5. Nicole's laptop so I could post today.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  6. My own copy of The Magic because it will be easier now to read it and reread it.  (Nicole found it for me at a really good price.) Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  7. The cold free flowing water from the garden hose because I was able to quench my plants thirst, my granddaughters could play and I could cool myself down.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  8. The food in my refrigerator and cupboards because I was able to just reach in and grab breakfast for myself and my two granddaughters.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  9. My granddaughters because I can't help but feel happy when I look at them.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.
  10. The hugs and kisses and the "I love you" I get everyday from my granddaughters.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Conclusion

I found it easy to be grateful for my health today. In my forty something years on this planet I have had three surgeries, a broken ankle, numerous bouts of the flu, bronchitis, muscle spasms, excruciating headaches, sinus infections etc. Every day that I am pain free is a good day.

I am still finding it difficult to come up with ten things to be grateful for each day. I shouldn't because I do have so much to be grateful for.

Again time flies way too fast. I am going up to bed, pick up my gratitude rock and figure out what I have to be most grateful for today.

Do you take your good health for granted? 
Or are you grateful each and every day? 

Just jot down your thoughts in the comment section. 

Tomorrow is Day 5: Magic Money .
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