Good things come to those who are grateful. We all look and feel a bit different coming into this new year after living through one of the most overwhelming and stressful years on record. We still have so many things to be grateful for that many of us previously took for granted, such as traveling and visiting family and friends, eating in restaurants, and even purchasing toilet paper and paper towels for that matter. Hopefully, we will all remember where we’ve been for many years to come.
Here are a few exercises to develop and build our gratitude muscle. Start by counting your own blessings, such as your family, your health, maybe still having a job, a roof over your head, great friends and the list goes on. Start examining your life and all the small details that make up your precious gift of a day.
Pick a time to unplug and start reflecting on what moments stood out for you during your day; make it part of a routine, so you look forward to doing it.
Make someone’s day special by letting them know they mean the world to you and they make a difference in your life.
Take a moment to look into someone’s eyes and say thank you for their service. My husband makes coffee every morning, and I make sure to say thank you—what a great way to start our day! Saying thank you to our children for their help speaks volumes.
Keep learning; tune into a YouTtube channel or take an online class. Expand your mind and your knowledge. Remember, this is your life and you are your own producer, so make it a great one!!
Let’s learn from all the hard times we’ve been through this past year with Covid-19. Despite the challenges, I also enjoyed precious time with my family, organized my home, helped my grandkids with distant learning and took lots of family walks. I enjoyed just spending unlimited quality time with family.
We can get overwhelmed trying to keep up with someone else’s race or living up to someone else’s standard. Don’t put that stress on yourself this new year; instead, say no to things that don’t feel right for your agenda, because life is too precious to waste.
Wishing you a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year from the Kim Pagano Show, “the brighter side of life.”