Gratitude

It’s that time of year when we all are supposed to be thankful, right? Yesterday I wasn’t feeling it. I was grumpy. Tired. Frustrated. Just bummed out. And, a little bit rightfully so. But still. “It’s almost Christmas”, I said to myself. I should be thankful. I should be grateful. And I wasn’t. 

A good friend called me and suggested I take just a 10 minute walk and practice a gratitude meditation while walking. I literally didn’t have 10 minutes. Not even 10. I was working from home, had to run something over to my daughter at school, which meant a “quick” trip to the grocery between conference calls. (it was anything but quick.) I had to stop working at a certain time to get a shower, because, if I’m being honest, I was too tired to get up for yesterday. I’m waiting on an answer at work and I was frustrated that I hadn’t gotten it yet. I’m in a graduate level Health Coach training and I’ve had (or I’ve made) NO time for it in my “busy” schedule. I haven’t been working out. So, really good reasons to give myself permission to be “grumpy”. Anyway, I took time in the shower and appreciated my hot water. I listened to my favorite song (Oceans by Hillsong United). I reveled in the smell of my mint shampoo and soap. I started praying in full gratitude. Thank You for… Thank You for… Thank You for… 

It may have lasted 10 minutes, maybe 12, maybe eight. I have no idea. What I do know is I felt better. Relaxed. Appreciative. Calm. Centered. Clear. All the things I needed so desperately. 

My point is this. When you can’t get yourself there with your normal go-to fix (which as my friend knows for me is a walk), just get yourself there, maybe it’s a two minute stay in the bathroom stall because that’s all you have time for. Maybe it’s a one minute linger in the car before walking into work, or home. You’ve always got one minute. Maybe one minute turns into two, two to three and so on. 

Practice gratitude. I promise, you’ll be grateful you did!