Gratitude

Gratitude Exercise

November 21, 2022October 13, 2022 Katlyn T

Let’s do a little exercise! Open a document on your computer, or grab a sheet of paper, and answer the following prompts:

Who is someone who has invested in you and helped you get where you are now?
What is something in your home that makes your life SO much easier?
Who last made you laugh?
What song have you listened to recently that helped you relax?
What Fall treat are you able to pick up at the store or caffe?
Who last looked at you and gave you a genuine smile?
What are you grateful for in this moment?

We have so many people who touch our lives on a daily basis, so many things and treats we may take for granted. What are the little things throughout your day that make your day easier? The people who make you feel loved? The sights and sounds that fill your heart with contentment?

My challenge for you this week is to find one of the people on your list – who has made you laugh, who has helped you smile, or who has invested time in you out of the overflow of their heart – and thank them, if possible. Send a card, send an email – even better, tell them in person!

If the person you wish to thank is no longer with you, consider writing a letter to them – as if they are still here, or knowing they are gone, however your heart leads – telling them what you wish you could say to them. Or if you know one of their family members, they may find it a comfort to hear what you wish you could say, too. They may have things of their own they wish they could say, and you could find a blessing together in remembering and sharing.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Everyday Moments

October 24, 2022October 8, 2022 Katlyn T

In 2021, the word I put on my vision board as my “word for the year” was this:

Bliss – “Perfect Happiness”

Kind of a tall order, I thought. But still, my goal for the word was to start focusing on the everyday moments of bliss in my life.

All of us have everyday moments of bliss that pass us by. Sometimes we notice them for a blink of an eye, but we are thinking about other things, we have somewhere to be, we have something we want to go do. And so they move on and we move on.

But what would happen if we actually stopped and fully experienced those everyday moments of bliss?

That sunset that catches your eye and your breath when you pull into your driveway after work. Instead of heading right inside and getting on with the evening, take a moment. Come back out of the garage and soak in the colors for even 60 seconds. Ask your dog if they want to go for a quick walk around the block (they’ll likely say yes) and take a few minutes to enjoy the evening.

That cup of coffee you grab on your way into work. It’s your favorite. Take 30 to 60 seconds and fully realize you have this treat right in your hands. Does it smell good? How does it taste? How does it make you feel to have this treat and be able to enjoy it?

The good friends across the table from you, laughing at a story that was told. These are your people – they say friends are the “family you choose”. They are smiling at you and trying to draw you into the conversation. Take 30-60 seconds to look around at these faces and let yourself sit with the joy of their presence and friendship

I encourage you to be on the lookout for moments of bliss in your life today and this week. You never know what beauty and joy are waiting for you in your everyday life!

Pause Button

November 27, 2021June 4, 2022 Katlyn T

Two days ago, it was Thanksgiving here in the USA.

Which means full-speed-ahead to Christmas and New Years.

It is hard not to feel the rush-and-tumble of the holidays ahead. But I want to encourage you to press pause every day over the next month, even if it’s just for a moment.

Pause for a few moments to enjoy the sunrise or the sunset. Pause for a few moments to really enjoy that seasonal treat you are inhaling. Pause for a few moments to appreciate the family you have around you and the friends who stayed in touch through COVID. Pause for a moment to revisit your inner child and kick your feet through the fallen leaves – or build a snowman, if you have enough of the white stuff already!

Just pause. Find those moments of everyday Bliss and be fully present with them. Express gratitude in your heart for the moment – let yourself smile, let yourself enjoy it – then keep going with your day until the time comes to hit Pause again.

Enjoy the moment.

Happy Thanksgiving!