The Sacred Art of Gratitude

Is your glass half empty? Or half full? Some of the time? Or all of the time?
 
The practice of giving thanks will fill your glass to overflowing. Every time! 
 
I asked a few gals around Grow 2 B U Studios what they were thankful for. Here’s what they shared.
 
 
 
Abigail Clark, DJ
“The courage and spirit to keep on trying in new ways!”
 
Thank you, Abi for reminding us to never give up, especially on ourselves!  Her alias, Abi Rose shares more uplifting thoughts on air at WXIR 100.9 FM on her segment of Reclaiming the Narrative - Art Blooms.
 
 
Caitlin Coleman, Occupational Therapist
“I am grateful for my loving and understanding friends, many of whom I do not spend enough time with (and desperately need to).”
 
Caitlin reminds us how important it is to not only have friends but to spend time with them!  Call a friend today. Thank them for their friendship. Then do something wild and fun together! Or just catch up.
 
 
Kathy Jackson, Real Estate Agent
"I’m grateful for the chance to take care of family, including my mom and grandson, for good business, beautiful nature around, ….life.”
 
Kathy comes full circle as she takes care of her family; grows her business; and wonders at the natural environment surrounding her.  She sees them all as  opportunities to cherish, not to be taken for granted. Thank you, Kathy.
 
 
Nicole Corso, Yin Yoga Teacher
“I am grateful for gratitude because it is both a gift giving gratitude and a gift in receiving gratitude. Namaste beautiful sister”
 
Namaste Nicole! The practice of gratitude is to be thankful for!
 
 
Kellie Adami, Advertising Agency Director
“I’m grateful for my friends and family always—but something new—I’m grateful for taking charge of my life and finally realizing how important self love is.”
 
OMG Kellie!  I’m so glad to hear you say it. May this be everyone’s new mantra:
 
I’m Grateful for 
Taking Charge of My Life
& Finally Realizing
How Important
Self Love is
 
While it’s true to value our loved ones, friends and family, it’s just as true to nurture our selves. We need to fill our love reserve before and after sharing our compassionate nature with others. 
 
Begin each day with a message of self love. Self nurture. Value. Compassion. As we treat ourselves with loving kindness, so will others.
 
 
Joy Kravetz, Yogi-Dog Walker 
“I am grateful for my health and the health of my family and friends!  Hard to narrow down just one thing but that was the first thing that came to my mind as I read this just after leaving the gym.”
 
Joy’s comment points to our health. Not just hers but everyone’s. This may have been inspired by her workout at the gym or her yoga practice at the studio! 
 
My mother used to say she was grateful for her health all the time. I didn’t get it. I was born with excellent health and just assumed that everyone else was, too. I wanted her to be grateful for something else. At that, she would say she was grateful for me and my siblings. Boring! I thought. But now as an adult and mother who’s had her share of illness and injury, I get it.
 
 
Min Chiou, Engineering Executive
“I'm grateful for the opportunity to explore who I want to be. I'm grateful for being surrounded by good people and influences to guide me on my way.”
 
What a gift! The opportunity to gain insights on your own way of being. Self discovery has become a thing only because our true selves have become hidden!  Conformity vs authenticity may have assisted in moving society forward in a swift and structured manner. But what has been lost?
 

1. Creativity in the design of services and products 
   1. When you are true to your self, your thoughts flow freely. You are uninhibited and willing to share creative ideas.
2. The soulfulness in execution
   1. When you are being your self, you’re more likely to be fully engaged in whatever activity you’re involved in.
3. Unique expression of diverse personalities
   1. Different people need different things. I may like sweet and salty. You may prefer sharp and tart. One may feel more comfortable working with technology while others with people. The ocean breeze may bring one person joy while a snow-covered mountain may suit another.

 
Thanks, Min, for allowing us to receive wisdom about ourselves through coaching, mentors, and advisors. May we all open to our true nature!
 
 
What are you grateful for?
 
Every day as you wind down and prepare to sleep, review your day and give thanks. Consider the natural environment such as the weather, the sun, the flowers and trees.  
 
Appreciate your accomplishments. We tend to ignore the small steps toward big goals. But without them, we may never move ahead!
 
Feel the warmth or coolness of your home. Its four walls of safety. The hum of electricity or sounds from an open window.
 
Offer appreciation to your loved ones near and far. Give praise to your highest self, your spirit guide, your creator.
 
Give thanks for your beautiful body as it is at the present moment. Affirm that you will take care of her or him as you would your best friend.
 
Admire that amazing mind that is reading these words and making sense of them. Love the lively spirit within you. Wonder at the colorful emotions you get to explore every moment of every day. 
 
Go to the gym and strengthen your body. Take a yoga class. Mediate to clear the mind and calm the emotions.
 
Practice Mindfulness on a daily basis. This will help you to not only bring attention to your health, but offer you the awareness of the beautiful world around you. Appreciation becomes an effortless practice. And your glass becomes a glass half full.
 
 
Alana Cahoon is the founder & creative coach of Grow 2 B U, LLC; guiding women and men to self discovery and business formation. Grow your business. Expand your mind. Heal your soul. www.AlanaCahoon.com