Go for Gratitude!
Every week we have assignments in the Master Key course. Each assignment is to focus on a subject that moves us forward. We have focused on persistence, kindness, self discipline, enthusiasm, courage, gratitude, and many others. Our focus for several weeks has been to write 3 gratitude cards a day on 3 X 5 index cards.
What are gratitude cards?
How has writing these gratitude cards made a difference for me. Every day I find things big and small that I am grateful for. I wrote my DMP (Definite Major Purpose) and my daily actions are being done with more focus and determination. Some of the gratitude cards were for things I did in my past or what other people did for me in the past. Many times I realize I take things for granted. I am now more aware of how these things are creating a better quality of life for me.
The feeling of being happy and that all is right in your world, happens when we are in a state of gratitude. Many of us are in search of happiness. Little did I know that being in a constant state of gratitude is really the key to happiness. This was an aha moment for me. When we are grateful, the world feels and looks different to us.
Shawn Achor Harvard Graduate did his Thesis on being Happy and the Happiness Advantage
Shawn Achor spent his life in research about the state of gratitude. He gave a Ted talk that explored happiness. If you haven’t already seen it, check out Shawn’s popular TED Talk here: The happy secret to better work is, yes, happiness pays off!
Video Shawn Achor
In the following article I found the same exercise of writing down the 3 gratitudes for each day that I have been doing. This can be a life changer.
From Shawn Achor : Those who are happy experience 31% higher productivity, 37% higher sales, 3x greater creativity and 23% fewer fatigue symptoms. Happy people are also up to 10x more engaged, 40% more likely to receive a promotion, and 39% more likely to live to age 94.
I find the gratitude cards are making a difference for me. Everything that happens to me both positive and negative, I am grateful because I know everything will be for my highest good. My state of mind is definitely changing. What is wired together fires together and the focus on kindness and gratitude are key in this process of change.
I challenge you to do something for yourself
I challenge you to write 3 gratitude cards a day and to notice kindness in yourself and the people around you. It takes 21 days to change a habit. Even the things you don’t think are good at the time, you will find were a turning point, a lesson that you needed or something you needed to overcome. Gratitude teaches us to appreciate the rainbow and the storm.
Do this for 21 days and you will notice that you have changed and that the people around have also changed. It may only be the way you look at them has changed. They may even tell you that you have changed. Watch how you start to feel.
Namaste,
Johanna Baker