Did you know that studies show that this one thing can make you 25% happier? It boosts your immunity to anger, disappointment, and frustration.
It's even been shown to heal pain and illness in your body. It can certainly heal relationships, especially with your beautiful and miraculous body.
That one thing is GRATITUDE; amazing things happen when you integrate it into your daily life.
Here are a couple of fun exercises to try:
Exercise #1 – Meditation
This exercise is perfect, especially first thing in the morning or right before bed, ideally both. It sets the tone for your day or lets your subconscious mind focus on all the wonderful things in your life while you sleep.
1. Sit in silence for a few minutes, breathe deeply, and imagine your heart filling up with glowing green light. Allow this energy to pulse and radiate to light you from within. As you deepen into the glowing, green energy in the center of your chest, begin to give thanks for your life. Give thanks for anything that pops into your head. No filter, just give thanks for it and show appreciation.
2. Think about five things to be grateful for on this day. See these events as pictures. It may be the way your dog greets you or that nice person who let you have the parking space in the crowded lot. It could even be seeing the birds fly to their nests as darkness comes. Just let the images flow in and notice the feelings they give. If an unwanted image pops in, let it pass like a random car on the road. If it is important, you can think about it later.
3. Now, see the people behind the images you are grateful for and express thanks to each of them
4. Remind yourself that whatever you focus on expands. When you focus on gratitude and positivity, you will get more of that in return.
Exercise #2 – Body Appreciation
1. Stand in front of a full-length mirror. (Yes, this can take courage for some of us.) If you really want to stretch yourself, stand in front of it naked.
2. Find at least one thing that you are grateful about your body. – It could be your physical strength, your strong arms, your cute feet, your freshly shaved legs, your freckles, your hair, etc. The list is endless if you look for the greatness in front of you.
Really feel the gratitude and remember, there is someone out there wishing they had your body. Your legs to stand on, because they are in a wheelchair. Your hair, because they lost theirs during cancer. Your weight, because they have been morbidly obese their entire life due to medications for their disease. Your mobility, because they are lying in a hospital bed.
There are always things we would maybe like to change, but that makes our body a hostile place to dwell. It is when we are at peace with and in loving acceptance of our body that it is safe enough to release weight and create lasting changes.
What you appreciate, appreciate.
Be mindful that you will attract more abundance, love, and health by being grateful for your current state in these areas. Your body, your health, and your relationships can only be improved by honoring where they are in this moment.