Being Grateful & Appreciative

 

Have you ever noticed when we are in a joyful or grateful state of mind, that everything seems to roll off our shoulders?   When life becomes too much, I remind myself to look around and listen.  I ask myself, "What do I see?", "What do I smell?, What do I hear?  I look up to the sky and take in all its beauty and really focus on the clouds, colors, and overall appearance.   I tune in to the sounds of nature that help soothe my soul. And, I do my best to start each day with my bare feet on the grass to help ground me to Mother Earth.  Changing your mindset is key.  I invite you to write down five things you are grateful for and send out a daily act of kindness to someone.  Doing these small things have a great impact on our overall well-being.  Try it and comment below how you felt!

 

If you close your eyes and imagine that all your senses have been taken away... your sight, your vision, your hearing, your sense of touch, your sense of taste, and your sense of smell.  How do you feel?  What are you missing out on? 

 

In these moments, I reflect that I have all my senses and I'm grateful for them.  This exercise helps me be appreciative of what I do have. 

 

Recently, I heard on a podcast to focus on the inner child in all of us.  The essence of being innocent and kind.  How we treat our children with kindness and protectiveness.  We generally speak kindly to children and offer them grace in difficult situations.  All adults have this inner child in them wanting to be seen.  So, now when someone upsets me, cuts me off in traffic, or is just plain mean, I do my best to see that inner child in them as they need to be seen and heard.  I let my soul speak to their soul and offer them peace and grace. 

 

Here are my top ten ways to appreciate life....

 

#1 Life
Every day we wake up and are given another day to live.  We have a new opportunity to start life again, to make amends, to make an impact in this world.   As an ICU nurse, I saw how fragile life can be on a daily basis.  I believe the recent pandemic has made this fragility more mainstream. Embrace every single day as if it is going to be your best day ever!

 

#2 Family
No matter how busy life gets, always find time to connect with your family.  Your parents gave you life and without them, you would not be here.  Do your best to appreciate your siblings and extended family.  Everyone in your family has shaped you to be the person you are today.  

 

#3 Friendship
Having friends you can count on is important.  Do you have someone to share your thoughts and feeling with? Cherish them!   Having meaningful conversations is a bond that no one can take from you. Together you can enrich each other's lives.  

 

#4 Health
Good health often goes unacknowledged.  Remember we will miss that the most when it's gone. Be grateful for your health.  Even during sickness, we can find something to be grateful for.  Focus on that to get you through any storm you may be facing. 

 

#5 Love
They say, "love makes the world go round!" Love comes in many forms, romantic, platonic, self or selfless love.  Love makes you come alive.  It motivates you to get out of bed early, to walk with a spring in your step, to smile and laugh more often.  Love comes with so many positive endorphins and changes!

 

#6 Laughter
Laughter is the best medicine!  It helps release the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. The Mayo Clinic states that "laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs, and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain. Activate and relieve your stress response."  In times of stress, I love a good comedy to shift my mindset.  Sharing laughter with another person helps create a bond and reduces your stress levels.   When was the last time you laughed until your sides hurt?!

 

#7 Tears
Sometimes our society views tears as a weakness or in a negative light.  Tears are actually good for you.  They are necessary to cleanse the body of sadness and grief.  It also helps you appreciate life and laughter even more!

 

#8 Nature
I find that being out in nature soothes my soul.  It helps me connect to Mother Earth. Take time to go outside and appreciate the colors of nature.  The greenness of plants and trees. The colorfulness of flowers.  Observe how the animals are interacting with the grass, trees and how the insects are interacting with the flowers.  I'm always amazed on nature takes back what's hers in abandoned and tiny places.  

 

#9 Time
I find that time goes by quickly and slowly in the same instance.  How can that be? Some days drag on, while weeks, months, or years go by in a blink of an eye.  There is a finite amount given to each of us.  Some have more than others.  We don't know how much we have.  I encourage all of you to enjoy the time we have and celebrate each moment. 

 

#10 Yourself
Yes, YOU! I encourage you to appreciate yourself and your inner child.  We are not perfect, but we come a long way since we were born.  Life is a journey.  All your successes, failures, hope, and dreams made you who you are today!  Think about everyone along your journey, who you helped and helped you.  Celebrate your legacy of the lives you have enriched and has enriched yours. 

 

Be appreciative and grateful for your life (yes, the good and not so good).  It has made you the person you are today.  Each of us has our own unique life experience filled with challenges and success.  

 

Invest in yourself. Do your best to be you. Shine bright my friend and always remember being alive is a special occasion!

 

"Time and health are two precious assets that we don't recognize and appreciate until they have been depleted." - Denis Waitley 

 

Feel free to contact me if you are interested in learning more about using natural solutions for you and your family. 

 

While you are scrolling on social media, please hop on over to my Insta and/or Facebook pages this month. I'm sharing my favorite tips for manifesting, expanding, and gratefulness diffuser recipes, roller blends, and affirmations. 

 

Until the next time.

 

Be well, Deanna

Peace. Love. Oils.