GRATITUDE RIPPLE

2 IDEAS FROM ME

1. Gratitude possesses a transformative superpower, serving as a catalyst for well-being and personal growth. When we cultivate gratitude, we shift our focus from scarcity to abundance, acknowledging the blessings and goodness in our lives. This simple act sparks a ripple effect, fostering positive emotions, enhancing resilience, and deepening connections with others. Through gratitude, we embrace a mindset of appreciation, finding joy in the present moment and cultivating optimism for the future. A gratitude mindset unlocks a profound sense of fulfillment and contentment in our journey towards holistic well-being.

2. A daily gratitude cultivation practice ignites a sense of urgency, compelling us to embrace each day as if it were our last. By acknowledging the abundance and impermanence in our lives, we awaken to the preciousness of every moment. Gratitude fuels a relentless pursuit of joy, purpose, and connection, urging us to seize opportunities, cherish relationships, and pursue our passions with vigor. With gratitude as our compass, we navigate life’s journey with intentionality, savoring each experience and living authentically, fully immersed in the present moment, and committed to making each day count. The following SAVOR Meditation mnemonic is a useful daily gratitude cultivation tool.

   • SAVOR

   • Savoring, Setbacks, and Silver Linings – Savoring involves mindful awareness and gratitude for the unique experience of each moment. Examples include meals, being in nature, having a great conversation with a loved one, etc. It’s even possible to savor unpleasant experiences like setbacks. Setbacks happen to everyone and come with silver linings. Reflect with gratitude on recent savoring experiences, setbacks and silver linings.

   • Awe – Kindle a sense of wonder and awe for the miracle of nature, life, and consciousness. Reflect with gratitude on the unique multi-billion-year evolutionary sequence every atom has traveled.

   • Victories/Visualization – Reflect with gratitude on personal victories and those of loved ones. Victories vary in type and dimension from getting the kids to school safely without drama to surviving cancer surgery and treatment. They can also involve completing transformative habits each day, especially ones that are challenging. Visualize losing things that matter most like loved ones. Reflect with gratitude on being alive, loved ones being alive now, and how billions of events could have prevented being with loved ones now.

   • One-time – Recognize that everything is impermanent and constantly changing. This moment will be the one time in life with loved ones in this current state. Life is a collective stream of these present one-time moments. This planet and solar system are hurtling through space and spinning at the same time. We are never in the exact absolute location with the same set of cells and thoughts. Each moment is unique for ourselves and our loved ones. Reflect on ths one time moment in your life with gratitude for the uniqueness of it all.

   • Retrospection – Reflect with gratitude retrospectively and externally on life. There will come a time in the future when things you can do today are not doable. From an external perspective you are leading a dream life compared to over 2 billion people on the planet that don’t have year-round access to adequate food. You will never be this young, strong, and flexible again.

2 QUOTES FROM SAGES

1. “When we focus on our gratitude, the tide of disappointment goes out and the tide of love rushes in.”—Kristin Armstrong

2. “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”—G.K. Chesterton

1 QUESTION FOR YOU TO EXPLORE

1. Are you willing to experiment with a daily gratitude cultivation practice to ignite a well-being ripple effect in your life? It doesn’t have to be the SAVOR practice. It could be as simple as taking a moment to reflect on the things in your life you are grateful for. It could be writing a gratitude letter to someone who significantly helped you grow and then personally reading it to them. It could be keeping a gratitude journal once per week of the top 5 people or experiences you are most grateful for.

Namaste,

Duane Nelson