Hi,
This is Theresa Conte.
Welcome to Day 5 of 30 Days of Gratitude to Inspire and Uplift You.
Today I'd like to share a quote from Maya Angelou.
She said,
This is a wonderful day.
I've never seen this one before.
And now a thought to ponder.
Research says that finding novelty in what we're grateful for has the ability to train our brain in a positive direction when done on a consistent basis.
It's so easy to take things for granted.
The homes we live in,
The cars we drive,
The things that provide us with conveniences like our refrigerator,
Our stove,
And even the toilet.
What would it be like to spend a little time each day finding something new to appreciate that perhaps over time you may have taken for granted?
So let's do a little experiment.
If possible,
Stop for a moment wherever you are,
Take a breath or two to get centered,
And come in to the present moment.
If you're sitting down,
Feel the chair you're sitting on supporting you.
If you're standing,
Feel your feet on the ground beneath you.
Then take a moment to be aware of any tension in your body or thoughts that may be contributing to feeling the sense of stress.
Slowly begin to look around and scan your environment.
If you're at home,
Perhaps there's some little detail you've never really stopped to notice before.
It could be as simple as the sun shining through a window and creating a shadow as it casts its light on the wall,
Or the details of a favorite cup you enjoy drinking your morning coffee or tea from,
Or the smell of something cooking on the stove.
If you're at work,
Maybe there's a colleague you see who you enjoy exchanging pleasantries with,
Or maybe you're hearing music you like playing in the background,
Or a staircase or elevator that provides access to your desk or working area.
If you're in a cafe,
Take your time to really chew the food you're eating or drink your beverage and notice the burst of flavor as it meets your palate.
If you're outside,
Perhaps you notice the warmth of the sun on your skin or a breeze that's whispering past you.
Let the appreciation for what you've noticed expand within you,
Giving thanks for the beauty,
Warmth,
Friendship,
And nourishment they provide.
Then,
Take a moment to notice how you feel.
Is there a change between the time you began the experiment and now?
A practice of novelty has the ability to wake us up to the magnificence that life offers us,
Regardless of whatever else may be happening in our lives.
Embrace it all,
What you see,
What you hear,
What you smell,
What you taste,
What you feel,
And the people you enjoy connecting with.
Let the sense of wonder grow within you.
Take a few moments a few times a day to stop and look beyond the obvious.
Making it a part of your daily practice will grow your sense of appreciation for the small as well as the grand things in your life,
Like a beautiful flower that's blossoming within you.
Wishing you a most wonderful day.
