The 5 Minute Daily Practice That Has Changed My Life

The 5 Minute Daily Practice That Has Changed My Life.

“Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” – Eckhart Tolle.

I’ve always considered myself to be a grateful person. No matter what is going on in the world, I always try and see the good in every situation. I suppose you could call me an eternal optimist.

This year has been particularly challenging for many of us. The world as we knew it changed overnight. Travel came to an abrupt holt. Families have been separated. People have lost their jobs, businesses and livelihoods. The level of fear and uncertainty has skyrocketed to an all time high.

Whilst I am deeply compassionate and empathetic towards the terrible experiences and series of events which have unfolded, I equally understand the importance of having a positive mindset. Falling into the deep, dark hole of worry and despair isn’t going to serve me, nor is it going to allow me to serve others.

One thing I know for sure is that where focus goes, energy flows. As Oprah so wisely said:

“The more thankful I became, the more my bounty increased. That’s because – for sure – what you focus on expands. When you focus on the goodness in life, you create more of it.“

THE POWER OF GRATITUDE

There are numerous scientific studies which demonstrates that gratitude makes you happier. A scientific study conducted by psychologists at the University of California asked all participants to write a few sentences each week, focusing on particular topics.

One group wrote about things they were grateful for throughout the week. A second group wrote about frustrations or things that had displeased them. The third group wrote about events that affected them, with no emphasis as to whether they were positive or negative. After a period of 10 weeks, those who wrote about gratitude were more optimistic and felt better about their lives. They also exercised more and had fewer visits to medical practitioners than those who focused on sources of frustration.

MY GRATITUDE PRACTICE

Being grateful and appreciative of the things I have in my life is something I’ve always done. However, I only started writing down the things I feel grateful for since earlier this year. The impact this daily practice has had on my life has been exponential.

Every morning as part of my morning routine, I write down all the things I feel grateful for in that moment. It could be something meaningful that happened the day before. The dinner I attended the previous evening. The people in my life from my husband to my family and friends. My health and the health of my loves ones. The sun shining. My job. My home. Morning Coffee. The list goes on…

No matter what you have going on in your life, there is always something to be grateful for. Carving out 5 minutes of your day to give thanks for all of the goodness in your life, is a powerful practice. In fact, it has changed my life.

DAILY PRACTICE

Do you practice gratitude? What is a daily practice you have tried that has created positive change in your life? I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences, please leave your comments below!