I thought I’d share this simple exercise that
helps me maintain a positive outlook every day. If you find yourself feeling
overwhelmed or stressed, try it out and see if it improves your view, too.
"Most
human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for
granted."
-Aldous Huxley, (1894 - 1963) English writer
Do
you have a practice for dealing with daily stress? I thought I’d share a simple
and surprisingly effective exercise you can do each day that will not only
boost your spirits, but lighten the perceived burden of “the daily grind.” No
running shoes required! You can do it without breaking a sweat, right from the
comfort of your car, your desk, or even the line at Starbucks.
It
sounds simple, but it’s quite powerful: Each day, think of five things you're
grateful for. They don't have to be big things. In fact, it's great to start
with the little things. It helps get you in the flow.
Start
with one or two basic things you take for granted, for example: "I'm
grateful for a hot shower in the morning." Or: "I'm grateful for a
safe neighborhood."
Come
up with five new things each time you practice. You might find this challenging
at first. There should be a little struggle, but push through it. "I'm
grateful for the smile of the guy at the bagel shop." Or: "I'm
grateful for my family dinner on Sundays."
It
might seem silly at first, but you'll notice that the more you express your
gratitude, the more you'll connect to a general feeling of benevolence for
others and well-being. Really take a moment for each simple gratitude to sink
in. Visualize what you're grateful for and recall experiencing it.
This
gratitude exercise connects you to the world in a positive way. It makes the
trivial annoyances in life sting less, and reminds you to note what it is in
the world you truly appreciate. When your focus shifts to gratitude, your
attitude improves.
Give
it a try this week and see what you think. Waiting in line, stuck in traffic,
killing time between appointments... they're all great windows to practice a
little gratitude.
Sometimes my clients ask me how I keep my cool when dealing with a
difficult real estate deal. Well, this is one of my tricks to keep everything
in perspective. If you’re looking for a stress-free home buying or selling experience,
I can help.
Please visit my website today at: www.valeriemcconville.com
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