Gratitude! What’s the big Deal?

 “Gratitude-Noun  The state of being grateful.

Grateful-adjective   Appreciative of benefits received.  Affording pleasure or contentment: pleasing.

Pleasing by reason of comfort supplied or discomfort alleviated.”  Definitions from Merriam-Webster Dictionary

“Gratitude-verb  Pausing, taking time to create awareness, and intentionally appreciating all the “great sh*t around us”.   Definition from Coach AnneMary Schram

As I sit to write this blog in Alameda, CA on a January morning, my heart is suddenly struck and overwhelmed with the gratitude I feel.  Why?  Because I simply stopped, looked around and took it all in.  I’m feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin, the light breeze blowing my hair, toes wiggling happily in flip flops.  The smell of the jasmine fills my nose.  I hear the birds singing and the seagulls screaming (reminding me how lucky I am to live 2 blocks from the water).  I hear and smell a steaming cup of joe my wonderful husband is making me.  I see a geometrically amazing spider web (take a close look at a web-it is really mind blowing).  I chatted with my neighbor friend who always has a smile.   (NOTE:  Today as I go to post this blog, it is raining and I am truly grateful for that!)   Ut-oh..I”gratituded” (hey I made up a new word) too long but I can’t help myself.  So what is the point?  It reminds me: SAGE

Stop

(Be) Aware

(Feel )Gratitude

Enjoy

Do you want more from your life?  More happiness?  More fulfillment?  Better Health? Meaningful Relationships? Increased Productivity?  One practice can get you to “the promised land”…  SAGE.

There are a lot of research studies out there that prove that practicing gratitude will improve your life,  but I won’t bore you with the details.  All I know is when I “do it” (SAGE), I feel great and when I “don’t do it” (SAGE), I feel shi**y.  Of course there are times I get too busy, too lazy, to entrenched on the “pity pot”, too oblivious, etc.  and I “forget” to intentionally SAGE…but then I remember “It’s easy to SAGE and it feeeeels good!”  I am really amazed at the difference it has made in my life.  To name a very, very  few of the benefits I have noticed:

Feel more Joy

Able to Give/Receive Love

Less Judgmental

Don’t Need “Stuff” to Make me Happy

Appreciation

Optimistic

Gosh..I could go on and on but I won’t…So I invite you to SAGE today (and every day).

A few ways to SAGE (I have plenty more):

• Write a daily A-Z gratitude list.  Start with “A” and continue through the alphabet to “Z” (Today for me Alameda…Zest).  HOT TIP:  If you cannot sleep do this mentally, keep going until you drift off to sleep like a baby!
• Journal daily.  That research I mentioned shows that a  five-minute a day gratitude journal can increase your long-term well-being by more than 10 percent!
• Post words, quotes, photos, and objects of gratitude in your home, office, car, body (tattoo, anyone?).
• Say “Thank you!” and really mean it.

Bottom Line.  Gratitude makes us happier.  It improves health, relationships, emotions, personality, and career.  So put on your lab coat and start experimenting.  Notice what a difference SAGE makes in your life and make it a new habit!  Remember Progress not Perfection!

If you'd like to learn more about me, please check out my web site:

http://www.amslifecoach.com/