Everyday
Miracles: Gratitude List
It is easier said than done to wake up each morning with a
high voltage charge of enthusiasm and motivation gushing through our bodies. In
fact, I have always found it more helpful to wake up feeling refreshed, calm
and composed.
The most part of my day is already planned the previous day,
yet I allow space for my emotions to decide my barometer of ‘happy, motivated,
need inspiration, do not want to be bothered today’. Over the years, I have
developed a morning ritual for myself that always helps me to slide into a new
day with vigour and zest.
A part of this morning ritual is reading my ‘gratitude list’
after I get ready for work and before I take my breakfast. I usually maintain
two copies of my list, one in the handwritten format in my handbag and the
other in my mobile phone. I shall share the reasons for this later in the blog.
Many of my clients find it unbelievable when I advise them
to reach out for their gratitude list before they read their to-do list for the
day. However, once they follow my advice they become converts to the school of
thought.
Here is what happens when we read our gratitude list in the
morning:
·
We become aware of all the resources that are
available at our finger tips. This repository includes not only tangible things
like a bed, a roof above our heads, platefuls of food, and so on, but also the
rarer and dearer bounties of love of our family and friends, sound counsel of
our mentors, clean fresh air to breathe, a refreshing walk in the neighbourhood
park, and I can go on.
·
Gratitude releases in us the hormones – dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins;
together these are referred to as happy hormones. What actually happens is when
we read about these blessings of our lives, we relive these experiences, and
this triggers the release of happy hormones in our systems. So, when a
difficult day is unfolding itself, it is always helpful to steal a few moments
and read our gratitude list which is saved as a picture or a document on our
mobile phone.
·
This exercises also creates a habit of
thankfulness within us. I believe that a habit has the quality to be universal
in nature. So, it will touch every aspect of our life, if not immediately but
eventually. Hence, when we find it atrocious to be grateful for the irritants
and challenges in our life, the primary sentiment of gratitude for all the
graces of our lives, prepares us to be thankful always, for everything.
Since, I have talked enough about reading the gratitude
list, you must be wondering when do we write it, right?
The best time to write our gratitude list is at night before
we turn in to sleep. I have found through experience that it is best to
initiate a ritual of winding down as we prepare for sleep.
I like to turn down the lights of the room, turn off all
technology, keep my mobile phone away, curtail conversation with everyone and
prepare to be with myself and my thoughts.
I add two or more things to be grateful for every night.
Thus, the list is ever-evolving and ever-growing. I use a notebook and a
fountain pen to write. Writing it puts me in a state of bliss. I can focus on
the positives as I drift to sleep.
Try this and tell me how the experience has been for you.
