The Gratitude Bear and Things to Love!

Hello to all and welcome,

I was recently visiting a friend, when we got to discussing gratitude.

Gratitude – that wonderful thing that leads to a lot more good stuff showing up in one’s life.

It was a most timely discussion actually, as I was in the throws of a rather self piteous episode and it pulled me up strong and hard. I truly had forgotten to take stock of all the good in my life for a while – and let me confess that there is indeed plenty of good in my world!

It got me thinking about how I could make sure that I did always attend to this expression of gratitude, without it sometimes becoming a casualty of a busy and distracted life.

And then – my delightful friend, solved the entire dilemma for me.

With one quick revelation……

She mentioned that she has a little, fluffy, stuffed, toy bear on her bed and that she has made it her Gratitude Bear.

This means that every night before she goes to sleep and each morning when she wakes up, she is reminded by Mr Bear to give gratitude, and a few minutes of thought, to all that is good and great in her life. She simply holds her little Gratitude Bear and goes through all that is wonderful in her life – no matter how small or inconsequential some things may seem.

I pressed her further for details on what sort of things she listed.

She said she was grateful for the sun shining on her face, the person who said good morning as she walked to work, a great outcome at work in a meeting, the delicious cup of tea she had had etc etc  - they did not have to be huge things. Just things that were nice and lovely and contributed to her enjoyment of the day.

I suddenly thought to myself – what a sensational idea – I need to be doing this too!

Now you may not all be keen to have a fluffy toy of sorts sitting on your bed – but it could be anything – just something that lives where you sleep. Something in that space that reminds you as you head towards slumber, and as you awake in the morning, that there is much to be grateful for. Because as you focus on the good – no matter how insignificant or small these things may be  - you will find your mood shift, your body relax and your energy and vibration totally change.

And as it has been proven time and again both scientifically and in practice – you have more chance of attracting good experiences to you, if you are in a calm and peaceful state of mind. The Law of Attraction, Entrainment and all that jazz.

Besides – try this experiment out for yourself and you will actually discover that it is impossible to feel fear or anger, when you are feeling Gratitude.

Fear and Anger are simply eradicated as a sense of Gratitude kicks in. And this certainly is more likely to lead to a more deep and peaceful sleep, followed by a more productive and cheery day.

So – the challenge today, is for you to start practicing Gratitude in your own life, at least twice daily.

Once when you go to sleep at night.

Once when you awake in the morning.

That way you have your day covered from both angles ha ha ah ha!

So – first you need something to remind you of that Gratitude Practice?

Luckily for me I have a gorgeous teddy bear, that used to sit on my bookshelf, beside my bed. But he has now been renamed and repurposed as my Gratitude Bear – and he now takes pride of place on my bed. Beckoning me forth with tales of Gratitude each and every morning and faithfully of an evening as I prepare for bed.

It really is so wonderful and so very simple.

You could have:

• a Gratitude Blanket
• a Gratitude Bear
• a Gratitude Journal
• a Gratitude Charm
• a Gratitude Crystal
• a Gratitude Watch
• a Gratitude Clock
• a Gratitude Scarf
• a Gratitude Pillow
• a Gratitude Hat

Whatever works for you?

So – I invite you to visit your bedroom to locate what your Gratitude Thing of choice is going to be.

Do a little ceremony to name it as such. And then set about giving, feeling and being an expression of Gratitude each morning as you rise, and each evening as you prepare for sleep.

You may, for example,  say to your  Gratitude Thing and The Universe:

” I now pronounce you my Little Pillow of Gratitude. May you remind me each and every day, that there is much for me to be grateful for in my life. I look forward to spending time with you. Thank you. ”

[ do this with no shame and a real flourish too I say - the more pageantry the better ha ah ha ]

I have found, that for me, it is the most calming and joyous ritual, that really does set a great tone for a good night’s rest. So why not try it out and see if it works for you too?

And finally, I must thank my good friend for her inspired instruction, on how to remember to be grateful each and every day…………I had truly forgotten and we all need a reminder to do things sometimes.

My Gratitude Bear now takes pride of place on my bed and I truly look forward to focusing on all the good, and great, and lovely, and memorable things in my life each and every day.

May you find this practice heart warming and life affirming too.

#DiscoverYou, #LoveYou, #BeYou

Christine