Gratitude Practice
I honestly can’t remember when I started a gratitude practice. I also don’t remember a time when I documented my daily gratitude for more than a couple of months. I’ve used apps, I’ve texted it with my brother, but mostly, my practice is done verbally and mentally. Regardless of how I do it, I can clearly see the benefits of this practice on my once very pessimistic mindset. With that said, I’m still a work in progress…
Lying in bed on Christmas Eve I was grateful I didn’t have to wake up to an alarm the next day. In that I had a moment of clarity. Those that know me, know that I’m not the biggest fan of social media. I thought why not use social media in a manner that made me appreciate it in a new way. With a daily gratitude practice via instagram, perhaps I might gain a new appreciation for social media as a whole. With the accountability keeping me committed, I’m really curious as to what impact sharing my gratitude for 365 days with others can have on my own personal growth.
Needless to say, my mind began racing. I thought, why not make this a collective offering of gratitude in 2021!!
We all know 2020 was a dumpster fire of a year and many of us realized how much of our lives we were taking for granted. Going out to eat, hugging a friend, seeing family, sending kids off to school… too soon, I know, I’ll stop there…
If a regular gratitude practice can increase happiness, why not use it in 2021 to change the narrative? What if we focus on what we are appreciative of, rather than what we are missing? I want to be clear, this does not mean shifting focus away from the injustices in the country. That work needs to continue full speed ahead. That requires taking a hard look at what is missing in regards to human and civil rights for all.
As the old adage says, it takes a village. 2020 has shown us, now more than ever, that we need community. Not only to survive, but if we’re ever going to thrive as a whole. So, I invite you to start or continue your gratitude practice with me and everyone and anyone who wants to join in this inclusive collective offering of gratitude. Together, we can cultivate gratitude for ourselves and the world at large.
How to participate:
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Post what you’re grateful for on any or all social media platforms using #gratitude2021. Please feel free to tag me @blairsilverman.rdn on instagram and I’ll share it in my story and on my feed. I also invite you to tag at least 3 friends to participate in this when you do post.
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If you’re not comfortable posting on SM (believe me, I get it!!), write it down in a journal, text it, email it, send a carrier pigeon….
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Whatever methods you find works best for you, commit to this practice on a daily or weekly basis to reap the benefits.
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Share this and spread gratitude!!
Love and gratitude,
Blair & Pepper