Create a Life of Gratitude - Thank you!
Consistently Expressing Sincere and Heartfelt Gratitude
For What You Already Have Is The Underlying and
Often Overlooked Force Which Opens Doors To
Immeasurable Abundance and Happiness
Well, that's something to ponder! There is so much to be said about gratitude, and a topic I often write about because it is so deeply rooted in my heart. I want to offer my heartfelt thanks to each of you who follow my work & my musings here. It is an honor and privilege to create art and design products for your heart & home - each day I sit down to work, I express my gratitude for all (and there are so many) who are a part of bringing my products to you, for the ability to create, to encourage, and to inspire. I tuck a little piece of my heart into each piece I create and THANK YOU for inviting Terri Conrad Designs into your hearts & homes!
Do you practice gratitude on a daily basis?
Create a Life of Gratitude
Oh So Sweet & Simple: acts of gratitude cost nothing but they can be the biggest something in someone's day.
Are you interested in living a life of gratitude? Try these suggestions:
- Morning gratitude session. As you arise from bed, allow yourself 2-3 minutes each morning to give thanks, expressing, "I am grateful for . . ." You can do this silently, with eyes closed, or share your gratitude in convesation at the breakfast table. I try to do this each morning before I get out of bed.
- Say thank you, and the next time you eat out, respond in kind to a waiter/waitress. When someone does something nice for you, however small, try to remember to say thank you, make eye contact and connect with the person - and when out to lunch/dinner and a food server asks "how are you?" answer with a follow up inquiring about them - you will be pleasantly surprised with the smile your question brings to their face.
- Call (or write) to say thanks. When you think about something nice that someone said or did for you or your child, let that person know what they did that you are grateful for, and why. This can be done by calling to offer your thanks, or better yet, by sending a handwritten note. Imagine receiving a handwritten note of gratitude and appreciation. Simple, but oh so sweet!
- Give thanks for “negative” things in your life. Seriously?! Yes, Although it may be a stressful and likely difficult situation to go through, when you give thanks for the negative things you are more likely to grow though the experience. Problems can be opportunities to grow and to be creative.
- Learn a gratitude prayer. There are many prayers, religious or not, that can remind you to be grateful. Find one you like, and print it out or make it your desktop wallpaper.
I'd love to hear your comment how you are expressing gratitude, what kind gesture you've made, or how a showing of gratitude has positively impacted you -
Until we meet again, I offer you this little prayer of gratitude:
Be Thankful
Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?Be thankful when you don’t know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.Be thankful when you’re tired and weary
Because it means you’ve made a difference.It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles
and they can become your blessings.
~ Author Unknown ~
Affirming Art for your heart & home: available for purchase at my webstore
Links to Love:
we just learned of this lovely experiment:
simple abundance gratitude journalBooks You May Enjoy Reading:
and finally, a thought to reflect on:
"Reflect Each Day On All You Have To Be Grateful For And
You Will Receive More To Be Grateful For." -Chuck Danes
Terri, I am thankful for your blog site. I love to visit here for inspiration and a new look at life. Thank you for all that you do.
Posted by: Carol | November 08, 2009 at 09:39 AM
Terri, I agree! It's like the Garth Brooks song about being grateful for UNanswered prayers! We never know...!
It's the little things that count, isn't it. I love all of your sentiments today. So well said.
Love, Diane
Posted by: Diane Knott | November 08, 2009 at 03:01 PM
I "found" gratitude about 10 years ago and really started focusing on being thankful each and every day ~ for the good and the bad ~ and I was amazed at the difference it made in my life. My stress level decreased and I became happier overall. I do the same thing before I get out of bed each morning; I used to try to do it an night but always ended up falling asleep, ha ha But I actually like thinking about it in the morning before I get out of bed because I feel so much more open, if that makes sense....
Posted by: BJ Lantz | November 11, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Re: [terriconraddesigns] BJ Lantz submitted a comment to Create a Life of Gratitude - Thank you!.
Hi B.J.,
Youâre so sweet to visit. I love your comment. Our expression for all that is, does make a difference. Itâs a particularly stressful day today, with more to do than time available to me. I think I may need to take a moment to sit and quiet myself, and give my thanks, again.
Terri
Posted by: Terri Conrad | November 11, 2009 at 03:48 PM