Wow, the end of May and here in the northern hemisphere the start of the summer months. I'm feeling excited for long sunny days ahead and gratitude for those that actually arise as it can be rather unpredictable in the UK.
May seems to have flown by and that usually means lots of wonderful things have taken place and yet sitting to write this post I found myself struggling to connect to the feeling of gratitude. My mind determined to find all the things I could be doing better, the little things that are missing and that one person who called me a 'cow' while driving down the road.
It would have been easier to decide that I could wait and write this another day or even not at all and yet gratitude is one of the most powerful ways to flip your mindset to an upward spiral and turn your day around (I think the aforementioned person could do with a big dose!).
So here we are, my gratitudes for May - enjoy!
“If you want to turn your life around, try thankfulness. It will change your life mightily."
Gerald Good
Contents
My Gratitudes (Read my other posts? Then jump to here!)
What is this post all about?
Each month, I want to spend a moment reflecting and sharing with you the things I am grateful for.
This serves two purposes.
Selfishly it provides me with accountability. Gratitude practices have played a huge part in my journey and I want to keep developing that in 2022.
This monthly post allows me to do just that by creating a positive routine that allows me a deeper connection with all that is wonderful in my life.
Secondly, I want it to inspire you to count your blessings so you too can harness the power of gratitude.
Melody Beattie said it best: “Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity...it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."
Try It Yourself!
There are many ways to capture gratitude.
For my practice, I have chosen 4 headings and I invite you to use them too. They are:
Achievements
Easily forgotten
Others
Myself
These help me to focus my reflections and ensure I don't miss the little things.
I have also decided that I would focus on three things under each heading. Starting each with “I am grateful …” for ease of reading. For you, however, capture as many gratitudes as you can!
Also, I love lists. You may not.
So I want you find a creative way to record your blessings that feels good to you at this moment.
Here are some ideas:
A4 page split into quarters
A long list
Mind Maps
Images/doodles
In a journal
Voice Note
Silently in your mind
My Gratitudes
“Gratitude and attitude are not challenges; they are choices."
Robert Braathe
I am grateful for expanding my mind, particularly with marketing. All jobs come with tasks we dislike and marketing is mine, I am proud and grateful that this month I have explored options with curiosity rather than anxiety.
I am grateful for my business model. One of the features I introduced very early in my business, based purely on a feeling, was that my package sessions are valid for 1 year. This gives clients the flexibility and I love reconnecting with them when they are ready to explore further.
I am grateful for organising the key parts of our wedding. Cake - check. Photographer - check. Flowers - check.
“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."
Robert Brault
I am grateful for my hairbrush. Sometimes it really is the little things and my hairbrush works wonders.
I am grateful for nice glasses. I love a thin-rimmed glass, for wine, sparkling water or juice, somehow it just makes everything taste better.
I am grateful for wireless charging. My phone has never been more charged now that I can just place it on a pad on my desk, however, I am manly grateful I don't have to play find the cable each time as it used to fall down the back.
"Silent gratitude isn't very much to anyone."
Gertrude Stein
I am grateful for Stacey H. A wonderful marketing coach with a fantastic heart.
I am grateful for new local friends. One sunny Friday, we made friends with a couple in our block of apartments. Kids make it look so easy and it's just not. In fact, it was a 3-year old that made this new connection happen. Thank you Lilly.
I am grateful for powerful women who pull others up. It's so inspiring! If this is you ( and I have a few in my mind) THANK YOU.
“Gratitude is more of a compliment to yourself than someone else."
Raheel Farooq
I am grateful for growing my network. As an introvert (not that many people would guess that) I find it a challenge to constantly talk to new people, so growing my network this month has been a wonderful achievement.
I am grateful for befriending my inner critic. I know she is there for protection and when she is at her loudest or sneakiest it's hard to show her lots of compassion. That said, this month I have been successful at calling her a friend and a guide rather than a voice to be willed into submi