10 Minutes of Gratitude
Research has shown that people who practice gratitude tend to be happier and less depressed.
Several hours after I recorded this meditation, I had a total of three spontaneous moments of gratitude!
Gratitude is the real deal.
Sometimes when our house is a mess, the kids are screaming and I’m trying to get dinner ready, I can feel just a wee bit cranky.
Tonight, after doing the meditation above, I was filled with such awe and gratitude for our healthy, beautiful children, our home, and so many other things.
I just couldn’t stop being grateful, even while doing mundane tasks. (which is not my typical Tuesday night)
It was wild!
After dinner, my husband Brent and I were sitting in our living room while our kids had a dance party. All of a sudden, I was overwhelmed by so much joy for our little family that I teared up.
It’s amazing how quickly your brain will shift towards the positive when you focus on it.
Try this meditation and see for yourself!
After you listen to the 10 Minutes of Gratitude, let us know in the comments below what you think of it. Do you notice yourself feeling more grateful throughout the day after you listen?
And, if you want a fun gratitude exercise, check out this list my friends Adnan and Kristen shared with me (received from someone on Twitter):
1. Early Wake Ups
→ Children to Love
2. House to clean
→ Safe place to live
3. Laundry
→ Clothes to wear
4. Dishes to wash
→ Food to eat
5. Crumbs under the table
→ Family meals
6. Grocery shopping
→ $ to provide for us
7. Toilets to clean
→ Indoor plumbing
8. Lots of noise
→ People in my life
9. Endless questions about homework
→ Kids brains growing
10. Sore and tired in bed
→ I’m still alive!
From Whining to Wonderful.
Try your own version by listing your top three whines and turning them into something wonderful.
Here’s mine:
1. Cabin fever from being inside every day due to poor air quality.
→ We’re all healthy and we still have a house to live in.
2. Sadness about all the families impacted by the CA fires.
→ Beautiful stories of people coming together to help each other. Grateful for all the firemen who are working so hard on our behalf.
3. Not enough time to do all the work I want to do and be with my kids as much as I want
→ I’m lucky to have so many things in life I love this much. I’m blessed that I really enjoy my work, and I’m blessed to have two wonderful kids (even if James is trying to push all the buttons on my computer right now….here’s what he has to say about gratitude: vdf dA j79io-0l;yi)
We’d love to see your version of From Whining to Wonderful! Please share what your experience is doing this exercise in the comments below.
I’m grateful for YOU.
Lastly, I want to tell you how grateful I am to have YOU in this community.
Thank you for taking the time to read these blog posts, to share your comments, and thank you for being open to learn.
I’m so glad you’re here.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Much Love,
Vanessa
P.S. Please remember to take care of you this holiday season. If you’re tired or overextended, don’t go to all the events. If you’re having toxic interactions with family members or friends, take a break. Go on a walk by yourself, snuggle up in your bedroom and read a book.
It’s ok to take care of yourself amidst time with family. In fact, I’d argue it’s the most important time to take care of yourself!
Anytime you’re having a hard time, spend ten minutes focused on gratitude with the meditation above and notice what happens.