Have you heard of “Gratitude Lists”? Research confirms that focusing on gratitude increases happiness and joy. I write mine before falling asleep, believing I’ll carry gratitude into my dreams.
Recently, I found a letter my mother wrote to my sisters and me. It was her “good-bye” letter, expressing gratitude and apologizing for any harm she’d caused. “These will be my last words of love you read,” she wrote. “It is time for me to go.” She took her last breath 14 years later.
Life was hard for my mother. As she told me in a visit from the afterlife, “The burdens I carried were too heavy. I never felt free to be myself.” As a child, and beyond, I believed my job was to ‘take the knife out of my mother’s hand.” To be, the good girl, she wanted me to be. Subsequenly, I subconsciously believied I had to conform to others’ will to be liked. Yet, deep within, I knew this was a recipe for a life unlived. Through therapy, courses, journalling, meditation and a host of other self-empowerment supports, I embraced my own agency to live my life on my terms. Yet still, that image of my mother holding a knife to her breast persisted, as did my ping-pong efforts to ‘fit in to be liked’ and to ‘stand out on my own terms’.
Shortly after finding that letter, a dream awoke me to the true power of my freedom. I have long understood that I was never strong enough to take the knife out of my mother’s hand. What my dream awakened was the truth — I am powerful enough to take the metaphorical knife out of mine.
And that brings me to my “Awakening List.” Each morning, I expand my Gratitude List into five Awakenings. For example, this morning i wrote:
- I awaken to the melody of songbirds. Life is sweet.
- I awaken to seven hours of uninterrupted sleep. Life is full of lovely surprises.
- I awaken to my breath filling my lungs. Each breath is a gift of Life and Love.
- I awaken knowing my dreams have the power to unfold as I step into my own power. I am powerful beyond my wildest imaginings.
- I awaken to this day with anticipation, excitement, and gratitude. My heart is a joyful place.
This practice opens my mind, heart, and body to the morning’s wonder and beauty, beginning my day with positivity. And, it reminds me of my capacity to be the Shero in my own life.
Do you have a special practice to open each day with wonder and beauty? Please share in the comments below. Let’s ripple out our inspiration to touch the lives of others!
Dare Boldly 
I did the opposite for many years. When my life was difficult I then wrote down the good stuff. But I also gave my troubles some few words. Re-reading those journals so many years later, I‘m always amazed how positive I was through all that tough time. I DID have the appreciation and gratefulness in me but at the time didn‘t realise that the thankful-portion was even then larger than the ‚I‘m hard done by‘ one.
Thank you my friend for sharing your efforts to become the person you always wanted to be. It took me some 45 years of my life to take full notice of what I (read in bold) wanted and needed to be!
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Isn’t it astounding when we realize we are strong and resilient – that it’s been part of our nature even in the rough spots. In fact, it’s what helped us navigate those spots with some semblance of grace. Hugs my beautiful heart-sister Kiki. ❤ I so adore and appreciate you. ❤
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I am impressed Louise! My morning ritual of gratitude, wonderment and beauty focusses on my ability to plant both feet firmly on the ground as I ungracefully find my way out of bed. This is followed by opening the drapes and gazing out over trees, lilac bushes, listening to the birds and the far-away hum of the morning rush-hour traffic which is about 3 kms north of us, chipmunks nattering away and the occasional dog barking as it takes its master our for a morning stroll.
I have not yet taken to writing in my journal in the morning. Not sure what is stopping me other than the mad rush to make coffee. I do see merit in journalling first thing as I read your blog, noted comments and realize that just may help me to focus better.
Ciao!
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love how you describe your morning Iwona! 🙂 You make me smile as I watch you standing at the window listening and surveying to your world.
I am loving this new practice Iwona! It reminds me to open my day in ‘the pause’ instead of leap (albeit relatively slower now 🙂 ) into the day full speed ahead.
In ‘the pause’ I remember the value of moving through my day with intention, attention and percptions awakened. Hugs my friend.
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Thank you, Louise, for your beautiful and empowering post.
It lifts the spirit to hear your positive attitude and writing these sentences
drives the experiences into reality.
I go out in the garden each morning. Listen to the birds, stretch my arms to the sky
in gratitude. I also go around and whisper to the flowers who give so much. Some to
start with. 🤗.
I might follow your example and write some gratitudes down.
Miriam
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Oh Miriam! So yummy! Your morning gratitude rituals! I can see you with your arms raised, bending down, whispering to the flowers. So much joy! ❤
What the research says is that the act of writing down what we’re grateful for encourages us to be more present and mindful of the good things happening around us, rather than dwelling on the negative.
What I love is how it reenforces, even in moments when doubt clouds my mind, how many things I have in my life to be grateful for. ❤
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