Are you buzz-killing your own joy? Here's how to tell ...
By Monica Magnetti — Written on Dec 18, 2014
This holiday season, skip the over-priced mall-bought gifts forgotten the day after. There is a better gift to give everyone—it will change their life and yours.
Embrace the concept that there is treasure in everything and fully trust that you are in the right place, at the right time. Decide that you are in charge of your life and your happiness. And the best way to share the gift of happiness with others is through gratitude.
Think you already have an attitude of gratitude? Well, think again.
You see, gratitude is a stance, not just an attitude. It's a way of being and thinking that requires practice. So, how can you start finding ways to show your gratitude?
Let's take the time to appreciate the wonderful people on our path, and celebrate who we are. To do that, must slow down and really discover yourself. Make it a priority to create time to enjoy your life instead of just doing-doing-doing.
1. Believe that you can make a huge difference.
Consciously learning the good habit of slowing down will teach you to practice it and see clearly how other people contribute to your life. This is an easy way to create stronger bonds.
To improve your life, make it a conscious exercise to express your gratitude and appreciation to the people in your life. Slowing down will support you in acknowledging other and then expressing gratitude toward them.
Relationships are the most enriching way for personal growth. Get great rewards by letting people know how much you value them for who they are. This practice opens their hearts (and yours) and it has the ripple effect of deepening all connections.
2. Invent a ritual to open up to something new.
Understand that the intentional decision of being grateful and appreciative will improve your life. Then, design a ritual—a regularly repeated activity to help you slow down and appreciate the present.
For example, take a few minutes every Friday to assess the week by asking yourself without judgment: What has worked for you this week and what hasn't? What would be beneficial to carry over to next week?
Acknowledge what went right and then identify what to improve. Let go of inner judgment. Decide to show up energetically stronger the following week—in your work, in your family, and in your personal life.
3. Experience and create a positive ripple effect.
Reach out to family, friends, and colleagues to let them know how important they are to you. Your life experience will expand both in the moment, and beyond. What you focus on grows, so focus on what you are grateful for in order to attract more of it.
To express gratitude toward yourself, you might want to buy flowers (even just one flower) once a week to celebrate yourself. Symbolically shift to revitalize mode and enjoy the holiday break. Show your gratitude toward yourself.
What plans have you made to recharge and honor yourself and your loved ones this holiday season?
Monica Magnetti is a Life/Business Coach and Brand Consultant and a proud YourTango expert. Her goal is support her clents honoring themselves in their personal and working lives. Start your happiness journey today. Download for FREE Monica's acclaimed book, 30 Days to a New You.