Welcome to the 27th issue of my short & refreshing musings about life and the journey in between.
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Recently my husband and I start using our ‘morning walk’ sessions to express gratitude. Not that expressing gratitude is anything novel, but something I saw on social media made me think about it differently.
I watched a video of someone cleaning a murky algae-ridden pool, taking it from a cloudy and impure solution to sparkling and inviting.
Now, you might be wondering how a pool cleaning video ties into gratitude. Let me explain.
The pool cleaner utilized a process called coagulation. By adding chemicals to the water, he made the dirt and impurities clump together and sink to the bottom, leaving a clear, clean top layer. This process struck me as an excellent metaphor for what gratitude does to our mindset.
In the beginning, my spouse and I struggled to list three things we were thankful for each day. But as we kept at it, like the purifying process of the pool, the negative thoughts sunk to the bottom, leaving room for positive and grateful thoughts on the surface.
“Gratitude purifies your thought process, pushing negative thoughts to the bottom, and leaving room for positive and grateful thoughts on the surface.”
Now, it's become much easier for us to spot the things we're grateful for every day, no matter how small. Speaking these words of thanks brings about a wave of appreciation, reminding us of the significance of even the tiny joys in life.
“Practising gratitude is not a trendy, passing phenomenon. It's a simple act that is often overlooked, yet it leaves an indelible, transformative mark on our psyche”
Nowadays, I find myself filled with a sense of appreciation for even the smallest things, going through my day with heightened mindfulness, continually seeking those moments of gratitude.
From the blessing of good health to the gift of love, a steady job, and the joy of parenthood, the practice of gratitude has created a powerful ripple effect of positivity that I intend to foster intentionally.
Here’s a glimpse into my gratitude journal from a few days ago:
Journal Entry, 16th July, 2023:
My health - As I age, I become more cognizant of the health struggles of others... I have faced my own challenges, but I am profoundly grateful for the ailments I've been spared from.
My family- I feel privileged to have a nurturing immediate family and an even more supportive extended one... It’s something many can only yearn for.
My natural abilities (talent)- I’m blessed with a knack for writing, a talent I never take for granted. I meet individuals who grapple with articulating their thoughts on paper, just as I might struggle to play an instrument. While many skills can be learned, certain talents flow more naturally for some than others... And that, in itself, is something to be grateful for.
Cultivating gratitude cultivates awareness.
-With this awareness, comes intentionality – a resolve to unearth those precious moments of gratitude,
-Mindfulness – to take nothing for granted, and
-Kindness – an understanding that we are all recipients of grace
Is this something you would try?
By NoOrdinary Eyitemi
Check out my 26th issue ‘ Rythym of Gratitude’
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