The Transformative Power of Gratitude
Want happiness? Get grateful!
The connection between gratitude and happiness has been in the mainstream for years. Long-term studies support gratitude’s effectiveness, suggesting that a positive, appreciative attitude contributes to greater success in work, greater health, peak performance in sports and business, a higher sense of wellbeing, and a faster rate of recovery from surgery.
Those individuals who exhibit and express the most gratitude are happier, healthier, and more energetic. Grateful people show fewer signs of stomachaches, headaches, nausea, and spend more time exercising!
But while we may acknowledge gratitude’s many benefits, it still can be difficult to sustain. So many of us are trained to notice what is broken, undone or lacking in our lives. And for gratitude to meet its full healing potential in our lives, it needs to become more than just a Thanksgiving word. We have to learn a new way of looking at things, a new habit. And that can take some time.
That’s why practicing gratitude makes so much sense. When we practice giving thanks for all we have, instead of complaining about what we lack, we give ourselves the chance to see all of life as an opportunity and a blessing.
This is a simple extension of the Law of Attraction: Whatever you focus on increases. It isn’t about being blindly optimistic and whitewashing or ignoring the negative experiences in life. It’s more a matter of where we put our focus and attention. When we CHOOSE to focus on the gifts of life, we gain a feeling of well-being. Gratitude balances us and gives us hope.
The Gift of Gratitude: When we focus on being grateful, we actually attract more things into our life for which we are grateful!
I like recording gratitude items in a Gratitude Positive Evidence Journal in which you list things for which you are thankful. This is accepting that when we focus on good things, the Universe joins in with us and magnetizes more good things to us. This is the MAGIC of any Gratitude Journal.
There are many things to be grateful for: colorful autumn leaves, legs that work, friends who listen and really hear, chocolate, fresh eggs, warm jackets, tomatoes, the ability to read, roses, our health, butterflies. What’s on your list?
Some Ways to Practice Gratitude
Keep a Gratitude Journal in which you list things for which you are thankful. I suggest writing 5 things daily, however it can be daily, weekly or monthly lists. Greater frequency may be better for creating a new habit, but just keeping that journal where you can see it will remind you to think in a grateful way. Keep it simple. A beautiful sunset, your baby’s smile, or your airplane arriving on time.
Express Your Gratitude in some form. Make a gratitude collage by drawing or pasting pictures. Find your special way of expressing it: sing it, dance, it, paint it, any way that works for you. Be creative in expressing these feelings. This is especially helpful for those who are focusing on creating new, positive habits.
Look at the positive in a situation, not what is wrong. Make a game of finding the hidden blessing in a challenging situation. Traffic is terrible on your way to work because of an accident, but your supervisor understands. Sometimes the blessing may be the lesson you learned from making an error. Service is slow in the restaurant, but you are really enjoying your friends’ company.
It is a warm, muggy afternoon in the Los Angeles area. I don’t care for it being so muggy, but I’m grateful it’s not 105 degrees since I need to leave for a meeting. And I’m so grateful for wonderful air conditioning in my home and office!
Share Your Gratitude with Those Who Are Important to You. Take time to share good feelings with important people in your life. Share your positive feelings of gratefulness with others, with real heartfelt emotions. Tell someone how much they mean to you and why.
As you practice, an inner shift begins to occur, and you may be delighted to discover how much more positive, content and hopeful you are feeling. That sense of fulfillment is gratitude at work. Send me an email with your favorite entries in your Gratitude Positive Evidence Journal. Notice the beautiful sunny day outside, trees lowing, time to breathe in the moment. What are you grateful for today?
How to Attract More Business as a Heart-Centered Entrepreneur
“Entrepreneur,” it seems, has become a buzzword in recent years. From bloggers and website gurus to inventors and salespeople, everyone is jumping on the entrepreneurial bandwagon.
But, fast-forward just a few short years and there are staggering statistics on the many entrepreneurs that have failed. Did they not have enough passion? Was their work ethic not good enough? Should they have been smarter and safer? While the questions of why often go unanswered, the truth behind the mystery often lies within the heart of the entrepreneur.
The great news for you, though, is that there is a path to success that you have control over! As a Heart-Centered Entrepreneur, you get to decide how things work out! Whether you are thinking about making a change to your own business, have just begun down the entrepreneur path, or are a veteran who is wanting to see more success, you have come to the right place.
To begin, let’s talk a little about what a Heart-Centered Entrepreneur actually is. While many people associate it with a business that is spiritually oriented, this is not always the case. Generally speaking, a Heart-Centered Entrepreneur will have these characteristics:
- A feeling that they are “called” to their line of work
- A desire to serve customers and clients, instead of a drive to sell
- A connection with Source or Spirit that gives support and guidance
- A full circle approach to business, developing both the inner and outer aspects
- A commitment to personal growth and development
To put it a little differently, Heart-Centered Entrepreneurs aren’t just DOING something for their customers and clients, but they are BEING someone to them.
Now that you understand the basics of what it means to be a Heart-Centered Entrepreneur, the next step is to learn the steps to being successful, despite the economy or other external factors that are around you.
Heart-Centered Entrepreneurs don’t have to wait for a market to recover or a stock to stabilize, because they have the ability to create success from within, making today the perfect time to become a Heart-Centered Entrepreneur.
How can success simply be created from within, without relying on or considering the economy and other factors? It is because once you use the following steps, you won’t be trying to compete for clients or business, but you will begin attracting more income and business to yourself!
Here is How to Attract Business to YOU:
#1 ) Consciously partner with Spirit. This means take time to recognize that you are not alone in this endeavor, identify areas where you need assistance, strength, or ability, and then ask for help in those areas. Surrender any fears or doubts, and really look within your heart for your path.
#2 ) Create Win-Win experiences. This step is all about collaboration instead of competition. Focus on creating relationships with anyone you come into contact with that will give back to that person or business and be productive and positive for both parties. This is where a Heart-Centered Entrepreneur will greatly differ in approach, due to their strong desire to serve, not sell.
#3 ) Raise your energy vibration. Think about it like this, your energy is your business card and you have the potential to be a business and money magnet! What this means is that you become magnetic and people feel compelled to work with you because they sense your energy and KNOW that you can help them!
Success really does happen and you have the power within yourself to make your Heart-Centered Business flourish and shine! By actively partnering with Spirit and taking the time to follow these easy steps, you will begin to see the things you desire for your business actually seeking you out! So, get out there and create your dream business! You can do this!