Project 20|20 – Week 2: Gratitude
Project 20|20 – Week 2: Gratitude
Last week, I suggested a self-reflection exercise to identify what types of goals we want to achieve in 2020. Without knowing where we want to be, it is impossible to get there. By writing down the list of goals, we increase the chances we will follow through.
If you had not had a chance to work on that, do it this week. Imagine how you will feel when you succeed, picture what clothes you will wear to celebrate, and with whom you will share it. Set a reward that will make you happier and give you an incentive to pursue new accomplishments.
This week, I would like to reflect on gratitude. Being grateful has been an important exercise for me. It gets hard to be thankful when I am in pain, or my dreams and desires are being chopped because of things I have no control of.
When you think about the word gratitude, what comes to your mind? People, things, places? The past, the present, the future, your life? I will list a few areas that we may use to explore, acknowledge, and experience gratitude this week.
1- People
We all have been influenced by the people around us. Some of them were good teachers, others showed us how not to behave and treat others. The social experience is rich in opportunities not only to define who we are but also to learn from other people’s mistakes. Life is better when we are blessed by having family members and friends who love us and appreciate us. That is not the rule, though.
This week, spend time to remember three people who made a positive impact on your life. A school teacher, a friend, a family member, a doctor, or a neighbor. Think about what they did or continue to do and how it makes you feel. Can you find an opportunity to do the same for others and pay it forward? Are you able to tell them how important they were to you, if so, why not?
2- Things
We usually pay more attention to the things we lack and want than the stuff we have today. Why?
For me, I have yet to learn to appreciate my own successes instead of focusing on them.
In the next few days, find at least three important and positive things that were or still are part of your life today. Something that not everybody has, and maybe taken for granted. It can be the school you attended, your health, family, a job (even if it’s not your dream job), places you went or can, food, shelter, your ability to write and read, have access to the internet, or clean water. We all have been surrounded by infinity things we should be grateful for; nevertheless, we may take them for granted.
3- Last Year’s Lessons
We are still in the first week of the new year. The past twelve months were filled with experiences and learnings. Can you write down at least three critical teachings you took from last year? How did they make you feel? What did you do with these teachings? Would you be able to apply to your life this year?
Earlier this week, I was reading a Harvard Medical School paper about Gratitude ( Giving Thanks Can Make You Happier ) and learned how it is connected to greater happiness. So, wouldn’t it be fabulous to become a more grateful person this year, meaning more content?
The paper explains how gratitude can make us feel positive emotions, get healthier, improve our ability to deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.
As we look into this new year, let’s build together a hopeful and positive mindset. That is one of my goals with this website and this blog.
I plan to come back on this gratitude theme a few times this year, as it is the powerful reminder and antidote to sadness, frustration, and anger, as well as a great trigger to more happiness.
I want to uplift my mindset and the way I look at life today and tomorrow. It will surely help me be healthier and happier.
Check the template I created below, hopefully, it will help you. I am grateful for having you join me on this challenge.
“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” – Melody Beattie
0 Like
