Hey Bloomers!

Thanks for joining me this month! I don’t know about you, but I feel like this year has just flown right on by. Before you know it, the year will be done and you do know what that means for most of us, right? A New Year typically brings about New Year’s Resolutions or sometimes the ones that we yet to accomplish from previous years passed. Incorporating gratitude in our lives can make a world of a difference, study shows that gratitude increases your productivity and increases your goal achievement.

This year so far, I have been beyond blessed in more than one way and I’m extremely grateful for all that has happened. Just to name a few highlights from this year: I recently received a promotion at the university I work for; I moved into a new place that is more centrally located, close to everything (no more suburbs until I’m ready to start a family); I celebrated my 30th B-Day in Cancun, Mexico; made some lasting connects with great people; and now I’m doing lots of traveling, which is always exciting. Believe it or not, this is not a coincidence nor is this just a good year for me; everything that has happened this year has been intentional. I been more intentional about making  gratitude apart of my everyday attitude.

Outfit Details: Dress| Similar Shoes|Similar purse

Have you heard of the saying, “We can’t control everything that happens to us, but we can control how we think and respond”? This year I have been putting more emphasis on act of being grateful no matter what the circumstances are, good or bad. Gratitude is one of the easiest things we can do to help us respond better to situations that don’t always work out in our favor. Most of us overlook the immense benefit it provides, that can help us in other aspects in our lives, such as, your physical health improving.  I started implementing ‘gratitude practice’ nearly 5 years ago after I first read the book, ‘The Magic’ by Rhonda Brynes. Before I started making gratitude a part of my life, I wasn’t reaping the benefits ( They are listed below). Let’s be honest, it’s easy to complain about what’s not happening or what we don’t have, that we fail to see how far we’ve come along in this great experiment called LIFE. If you want to attract greatness into your life, gratitude needs to become a living, breathing part of your lifestyle. 

“Better to lose count while naming your blessings, than to lose your blessings to    counting your troubles.” ~ Maltbie D Babcock 

Gratitude is more than just saying, “I’m grateful”, it’s an overwhelming feeling in your body that exudes from you – its an energy. For instance, if you say, “I’m thankful for my job, but I would be happier if I got paid more”, this is just a contradiction and your gratitude is not real. Look, I’m not saying to be complacent on where you’re at in life but be grateful for what you currently have and continue working towards your goals. Find a way and do whatever it is you need to do to make things happen. Don’t wait until Thanksgiving to show your gratitude, make it an everyday practice and watch your blessings unfold tenfold. Your blessings will instantly increase!

Here are 7 Scientifically Proven Benefits of Gratitude

1. Build and keep meaningful relationships 
2. Improves physical health
3. Improves psychological health
4. Enhances empathy and reduces aggression
5. Sleep Better
6. Improve self-esteem
7. Increases mental strength 

*Get a deeper understanding on each of these benefits here

I have previously touched on this topic and given you tips on how to make gratitude to apart of your lifestyle. If you haven’t had the chance, read that post here  before you begin this exercise. The gratitude exercise I’m about to share with you will not only help enrich your life internally but will also help you have a better outlook on life no matter the circumstances. The goal is to attract everything you want in life, as though you’re on auto pilot. It takes 21 days to create a habit, so in three short weeks you can begin to change the energy you put out and attract what you want in. Remember this is just a guide to help you begin a new chapter in your life that will eventually become second nature.

Things you’ll need

1. Journal & pen
2. Positive attitude

Gratitude Exercise

1. Take note: Each day write down one thing you are grateful for and list 3 reasons why you are grateful for it (be as detail as possible). I highly recommend doing this in the morning because your day will start off positive and your positive vibration will carry on throughout the day.
2. Review: On the last day of the 21 days, go through your list in order and say ‘thank you’ three times. Thank you must become the two words you deliberately say and feel more than any other words. “Thank you is the bridge from where you are now, to the life of your dreams.” ~The Magic
3. Invest in yourself: For an extensive understanding of gratitude, I recommend you read The Magic. “In the book, there are 28 magical practices that been specifically designed so that you learn how to use gratitude’s magical power and revolutionize your health, money, job, and relationships and to make the smallest desires and your biggest desire come true. You will also learn how to practice gratitude to dissolve problems and transform any negative situation”. ~The Magic
4. Reflect: Remember to truly be grateful you need to accept where you are today and Trust the timing of your life.

Food for thought

Count your blessings: anytime you find yourself complaining replace that with a couple things you are grateful for in your life now. By doing this, it will eliminate the negativity and slowly shift your mindset to bring more positivity into your day.

Share Your Thoughts

What are you most grateful for today?

If you have any best gratitude practices, please share!

Before You Leave

Do you know someone that can benefit from reading this? If so, pay it forward and share this post with them!