Expressions of Gratitude

The definition of gratitude is being glad that something has or hasn’t happened; that something or someone exists; experiencing thanks. I started practicing gratitude about more than 15 years ago.  I have refocused on it after suffering a burst aneurysm in 2013. 

Being thankful on a regular basis improves our relationships, sleep, general well-being, and health.  Science has shown that there are many benefits to being grateful, and these are just a few.  Despite being a very simple exercise, when performed on a daily basis, it can have profoundly transformative results.  The habit of identifying things for which we are grateful each day creates new neuropathways in the brain, the more we practice being grateful (or, for that matter, anything we focus on).  For the brain, this process—known as neuroplasticity—is comparable to physical exercise.

Eventually, being grateful becomes a habit, which leads to a more optimistic perspective in general, especially during difficult situations.  We can be thankful for every moment as a chance to develop, learn, and discover a new way of being in the world, but we cannot be thankful for horrible things like this pandemic.  This is resilience.

Observe the abundance of creativity, ingenuity, and kindness all around you.  We are pushing ourselves to discover new ways to thrive rather than just survive.  The question, “What do I actually need?” is becoming more and more common.  What is most crucial?  We’re talking to loved ones about our deepest emotions and recognizing what matters most in life.

For 30 days, I want you to locate at least one item for which you are thankful every day.  A new habit takes around 30 days to form.  Don’t worry if you skip a day; just keep going.  As you write it down, acknowledge and experience the emotions it evokes in your heart.  Although you can do this at any time, it helps you sleep if you recall these things before bed.  Join me if you want to express your gratitude. Share to Social media using #Jen’sPerspectiveGratitudeChallenge .

This is my challenge

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to me! Today, I celebrate another year of growth, laughter, and memories made. I am grateful for the lessons learned, the challenges overcome, and the people who have been a part of my journey. Each year brings new opportunities, and I am excited to see what this one holds. I’ve worked hard to get here, and today is all about celebrating those accomplishments and the person I’m becoming.

After surving a hemoragic stroke in 2013, my life took a drastic turn from where I thought I would be today.  I lost my very good health, the ability to bear children, and my mobility as an independent person.  In spite of the odds I have not only survived, I taught myself how to build this blog, start 2 YouTube channels, and developed, write and produce a digital monthly magazine.  Having lost the ability to work even in a remote capacity had not impeded my aspirations for success.   I truly hope to garner the ability to continue forward with a little help from technology,  family, friends and a fantastic physical therapist.  

I’m also looking forward to embracing whatever the future has in store. This year, I’m focusing on setting goals that truly matter to me and on making time for the things that bring me joy. Today, I’m taking a moment to just be present, appreciating the people who care about me, and enjoying the little moments that make life beautiful. Here’s to another fantastic year—filled with growth, happiness, and success!