Gratitude Gumbo
The power of a “gratitude – attitude” is delicious. Deborah Norville in her book, Thank You Power, says that two small
words, thank you, can change your life. She goes on to say, it is not just about the words, it is about the mind-set that accompanies them. I love that!
If you are someone who is focused on raising their Joy Factor, you know that being conscious about the yummy combination of your positive thoughts, feelings and actions will move you in the direction you want to go with joy and ease. Gratitude is another piece of the gumbo.
I am a fan of acronyms. Here is one that will help you to embrace a gratitude - attitude. It will not only make you feel better, Norville shares studies that show it will improve your health, optimism and resilience in tough times.
Grow where you are planted. You are where you are in your life for a reason. When you can remember that and go with the flow, it will be easier to express gratitude for what is, rather than always focusing on what could be or what was.
Reset your mindset. When you notice that you are spending more time complaining or blaming, push the reset button and notice what you are thankful for. It could be the car you are driving, the food you are eating or the house that you live in-you get to choose. Keep track of these delicious nuggets by writing them in a gratitude journal.
Accentuate the positive. Where do you want to shine the light? On what is working or what is not working? Choose what is working and share that with others, they will thank you for it.
Treat every day as a gift. Unwrap it and find the wonder in the newness and possibility that is there. Be thankful for it and savor the gift of today.
Imagine the possibilities. If you do not like what you are experiencing right now, use your thoughts to shift it. Say thank you to yourself for choosing to get yourself out of the doldrums of the day.
Two words. Thank you-use them often. Say thank you not only with your words, but also with your eyes and smile.
Unite with others. We are all connected human beings that desire to be appreciated, loved and acknowledged-act accordingly.
Delight in beauty. Nothing enhances gratitude more than spending time in nature. You cannot help to feel thankful for the glorious sights, sounds and smell. Step outside today.
Enjoy the journey. Don’t worry about getting there; because once you get there, it is time to go someplace else! Savor the everyday moments, relish in all that is so you can truly enjoy this adventure called life.
Sprinkle a bit of gratitude into each and every one or your days. You will feel amazing and so will others around you. I will have seconds of this gumbo please.
The Power of Gratitude
As Thanksgiving approaches, thoughts turn to gratitude. For some, it’s the once-a-year holiday ritual around the dinner table as each person proclaims what they’re most thankful for. Family. Health. My job. This meal.
Cultivating an attitude of gratitude throughout the year, however, is nothing short of transformative. That’s because of the universal law that states: What you focus on expands. In other words, what you appreciate appreciates. And, where attention goes, energy flows.
Here are three ways to demonstrate the power of gratitude every day.
1) Feeling fearful? Who isn’t these days? The good news is that fear and gratitude cannot coexist. Peak performance expert Tony Robbins promises, “When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears.” The next time you’re worrying about money, your business or your children, stop and take a moment to count your blessings. One of the best ways to get a good night’s sleep is to write in a gratitude journal before bedtime.”
2) Dealing with challenging relationships? It might be your boss, client, spouse or teenager. For one week, refrain from criticism (what you think, as well as what you say). Instead, focus on the qualities you most appreciate about that person–even if it’s just that they teach you to be more patient. You’ll begin to notice that the energy will shift and the relationship will be more positive and productive.
3) Turbocharge your goals. As you begin to plan for the New Year and list your resolutions, be thankful for what is right now and what will be in anticipation of your success.
He was that guy.
This was the guy that volunteered to help families in Africa, taught autistic children, cheerfully did dishes and stirred the soup when he was over for dinner. He was naturally polite, kind and funny. I used to joke that he was so wonderful that when he smiled we had to protect our eyes from the sparkling reflection. We knew something fun was going to happen when he bounded through the door. He organized the night that a bunch of kids, including my daughter, slept in a car piled on top of each other like puppies waiting for the annual REI sale to begin. They stocked up on the gear they needed to go out there and experience nature at its finest.
Once, when she was describing him to me my daughter said, “Mom, he was “that” guy for me.” He was the guy who showed her what it was like to be in a truly safe relationship. He held her hand gently, opened her car door, brushed the hair from her eyes and looked at her with such kindness and respect that I will always be grateful to him as a mother. He set the bar high.
In April, he passed away in a rock climbing accident. It is months later and we are still trying to make sense of it. He had a beautiful relationship with God and this comforts us all.
He embraced life with a ridiculous amount of enthusiasm and joy. The life he lived reminds me to be present and enjoy the simple stuff. I appreciate the opportunity to laugh loud, sing badly and contemplate the clouds in the sky. My daughter, who is slowly healing, feels the same way. She has made changes in her life so that she is really doing what she loves most and not wasting a single second. She has said that she wants to live her life in a way that will make him proud. Once again, I am grateful.
Thank you, Josh. We miss you very much.
What increases Patti Digh’s Joy Factor?
My Joy Factor was raised exponentially when I listened to Patti Digh share about her new book, Four Word Self Help: Simple Wisdom for Complex Lives and Life is A Verb: 37 Days to Wake Up, Be Mindful and Live Intentionally at the Decatur Book Festival this past weekend. Thank you, Patti, for sharing with us what increases your Joy Factor! Many thanks as well to Patti’s daughter, for her cameo in the video-love your manicure, Tess!
Look for Patti’s new book coming soon.
What increases Patti Digh's Joy Factor?
My Joy Factor was raised exponentially when I listened to Patti Digh share about her new book, Four Word Self Help: Simple Wisdom for Complex Lives and Life is A Verb: 37 Days to Wake Up, Be Mindful and Live Intentionally at the Decatur Book Festival this past weekend. Thank you, Patti, for sharing with us what increases your Joy Factor! Many thanks as well to Patti’s daughter, for her cameo in the video-love your manicure, Tess!
Look for Patti’s new book coming soon.
8 Things that Bring Me Joy about Decatur
I fell upon a blog that has definitely raised my Joy Factor. Check out Rachelle Mee-Chapman at Magpie Girl—yummy!
Rachelle shared 8 things that she wanted to remember about Copenhagen, where she has lived the last 2.5 years and is now heading back to the states. She shared 8 treasures. Her readers, (me!) were invited to honor a significant place in their life. It compelled me to share what brings me joy about where I love now.
8 things that bring me Joy about Decatur, GA!
1. The DeKalb Farmers Market is a feast for all senses. There is over 140,000 square feet of all things delicious! This world market is less than a mile from my house and is one of my favorite things!
2. Decatur is where Berkeley and Mayberry co-exist (the tag from another favorite blog, inDecatur) Imagine a small town feel and eccentricity in one place. I always feel at home, whether I am dressed up, down or all around. Funky restaurants and retail stores with a conscience-gotta love it!
3. Everything is in a 4.2 mile radius- If I choose not to walk or bike into the main part of Decatur, I park my car and walk to all of my errands. I enjoy the history, beauty and smiling faces on my way.
4. Did I mention sushi? Lunch at Sushi Avenue feeds my tummy and spirit— best shared with a friend on the patio.
5. This close knit community is committed to continuous growth and improvement. I had the pleasure of being a facilitator during the 10 year Strategic Planning session for the city. Over 500 people showed up to support the process-amazing!
6. Beer-all kinds, all flavors. I do not drink, yet I live vicariously through the delight people experience at the pubs in Decatur.
7. Festivals-Beer, Wine, Art, Beach Party , Concerts on the Square, Bonfires, Parades, Breakfast with Santa, just to name a few—it’s Decatur—we have a festival for that!
8. Doggies-everyone has and loves them. They are the “children” of this decade. If they are not talking about opening another school in Decatur, they are talking about a new dog park.
I am grateful every day to live in such a wonderful city-it definitely raises my Joy Factor!
Healing Happens
The first time I saw the “s**t happens” bumper sticker was twenty-some-odd years ago, on the back of a nearly-new, shiny, wrecked Camaro. The law of attraction in action.
I broke my wrist, two weeks after moving home, office and studio. At first it seemed like bad luck. It had been a hard move. I was dog-tired, running on empty. I had no choice but to rest. With long hours of sleep and naps in between, I began to feel a bit blessed, and for the first time in months, mentally refreshed.
The list of things I could not do sometimes felt endless. Tying the sash on my bathrobe took six, seven, eight or more tries. Cutting meat was not possible. Nor fastening my seatbelt (much less a bra.) But the things that were possible—if I could only figure out how—became adventurous and amusing. The left brain would say, “this can’t be done.” The right brain would counter, “How can I pull this off?” The night I opened a bottle of wine I was triumphant. It had taken 20 minutes.
Friends and family rallied. They brought food that could be opened, prepared and eaten with one hand. They helped me dress, wrote checks, and drove when I would feel too untethered without a seatbelt. They schlepped boxes, unpacked, and made my bed (putting on a fitted sheet with one hand could be an Olympic event,) put barrettes in my hair, and hung artwork. It’s hard to be grumpy or bitter when your heart is full of gratitude.
Healing happens. One day, the pinkie finger could push the “P” and “enter” keys. Soon after I could zip and snap the waistband of my trousers. Bending my palm back enough to hold a dollop of shampoo, then massaging it into my scalp, was glorious beyond words. Pulling the gearshift in my car from park to drive made me squirm with delight. Ten days later, I could push from drive to park. To pick up and put a carrot in my mouth? Oh, my. Finally I could not only hold, but use, a fork. And being able to write! To doodle! To journal. To sign my name IN CURSIVE. I was giddy with pride and relief.
Joy can come in a package so small that we overlook it, but rarely have I known joy any greater than being able to wash my hair and sign my name. Rebecca L. Ewing
Carpe diem
Affirmations with Jessica
The other day a friend of mine sent me a link to the best affirmation video I have seen. It has all of the components for manifesting what you want, which is the reason we use affirmations. Jessica, who is doing the affirmations, is looking in the mirror – the best place to affirm what you want for your life. The point of using affirmations is to state what you desire in a positive frame, such as, “my prosperity is growing.” This opens the door for prosperity to arrive.
Jessica states everything that she loves. Being in a place of gratitude is the best fertilizer for affirmations. She completes her high energy, joyful process in a minute or so and off she goes on her day.
Saying affirmations is just one piece of the puzzle. The secret to having your affirmations come true quickly is to make sure the atmosphere in which they are placed is fertile. Affirmations are very similar to seeds you plant. If you plant your seeds in bad soil, they will not grow very well. If you put them in good soil, they will be abundant. The more you choose thoughts that raise your Joy Factor, the quicker the affirmations will work.
Louise L. Hay, who is the grandmother of affirmations, says, “It takes some time to go from a seed to a full-grown plant. And so it is with affirmations – it takes some time from the first declaration to the final demonstration. Be patient!”
You do not have to wait any longer to see Jessica’s affirmation - watch and learn from a master.
A Wave of Gratitude
Feelings of gratitude have been washing over me in waves; it takes my breath away. It is overpowering at times,
bringing me to tears. They are those good, yummy tears; yet tears nonetheless. My intention to express my gratitude, every day when I wake up and right before I close my eyes at night, is becoming as natural as breathing. Lately, these feelings of gratitude have also been more present in my daytime hours. I like it. It has the quality of slipping into something silky and soft. When this feeling shows up, it adds a smooth edge to anything else I am experiencing.
I can’t help but wonder why the increase of gratuitous feelings each day. The answer is multi dimensional. As I have been honoring the components of The Joy Factor, my life is shifting into a gentler flow. I honor myself and that flow more than I ever have. Self care is first for me, without excuses. I choose to have optimism be a huge part of my life. By noticing the things that take steal away the happy moments, I can gently shift them again and again. Today I celebrate the feeling of what it is like to walk my talk. It is my quest to capture these feelings of gratitude and use them to support me in loving my life and sharing that love and gratitude with the world.
Gratitude is my magnet. It is the essence of the wisdom that allows me to share what I can, to add value to my life and to others. Today I speak from a place of love and gratitude for all that is and will take nothing for granted.
The disasters that people are experiencing in Haiti also increase my feelings of gratitude. It is hard to bear witness to this type of tragedy and feel sorry for myself.
Take a minute and grab some gratitude. Notice how it shifts the energy of whatever you are experiencing now. It enhances the good and softens the not so good. It is one of the most delicious things I know and I am thrilled to share it with you. Here is a beautiful song and visual that says it all-click here and enjoy.
Namaste.
Shoes!
Don’t you just love this time of the year? Everyone is in a festive mood, catching up with old friends and making new ones. It seems like there is something to do almost every night! I was at a gathering on Sunday and met a woman that was sitting down amidst all the people that were standing When the people that were talking to her walked off, I asked her if she was holding court. We laughed and she said, “girl, these shoes are killing my feet and I have to sit down.” I looked down at her gorgeous black stilettos and could see why she was sitting immediately.
Just as there are a variety of shoes that people like to wear to parties, there are a variety of ways to take care of yourself during the holiday season. Here is my top 10 list of ways to take care of yourself and raise your Joy Factor:
1. Be comfortable-not just in what you wear, also in who you are being. Be authentic and real.
2. Everything in moderation! You all know how much I love to eat. If I had to deny myself of anything, I would not be happy. My rule of thumb is the sweets that I eat this time of year have to be home made-yum!
3. Take time for you-even if it is 30 minutes a day, find the time to take a walk, go to the gym, meditate or stretch-you are so worth it!
4. Acknowledge yourself for all that you have done today, rather than all that you need to do–what a concept!
5. Remember your gratitude attitude!
6. Choose joy–get that scarf out!
7. Do a random act of kindness. My favorite is to pay the toll on GA 400 for the car behind me.
8. Let go of your emotional baggage. If you are upset, scream in the car for a few minutes. If you are sad, go watch Seven Pounds with Will Smith. Move through the emotion-you will feel much better.
9. Do something that you have been procrastinating about. Call and make that dentist appointment or better yet, call your mother.
10. Wear comfortable shoes
If there is one thing that I know for sure about raising your Joy Factor, it’s that it is easier to do in comfortable shoes.
Take care of you this time of year. It will make you feel better than finding the best pair of comfortable shoes–on sale!
The Joy Factor
Welcome fellow Happiness Pioneers! You've come to the right place if you are looking to raise your Joy Factor. My vision is for everyone to live a life aligned with their passions and full of joy. The intention of this site is to offer you juicy nuggets that will increase your experience of joy and delight. Take a look around, grab something yummy and share the joy.
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