gratitude – Page 3 – Gratitude Habitat

Living In Gratitude: Our Past Is Perfect

January 23, 2015/in Living In Gratitude /by Carol Adamski

We’ve all made mistakes or failed at something. Most likely, quite a few things. While some people allow these perceived failures to become roadblocks, preventing them from achieving success or moving forward in life, “Chicken Soup for the Soul” co-creator Jack Canfield believes we should look at these ‘missteps’ in a different light.

As written in his book, The Success Principles, “your past has actually been ‘perfect,’ because it has all led to this marked moment in your life, when you are on the verge of gaining more knowledge.” This concept of a “perfect” past applies to each and every one of us because we’ve always done the best we could with what we knew at the time. Even when we’ve made mistakes. Read more

Living In Gratitude: Healthy Heart

January 9, 2015/in Living In Gratitude /by Carol Adamski

Gratitude makes us happy, healthy, wealthy and whole.

A positive mental attitude is good for your heart. It fends off depression, stress and anxiety, which can increase the risk of heart disease, says Paul Mills, a professor of family medicine and public health at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine. Mills specializes in disease processes and has been researching behavior and heart health for decades. He wondered if the very specific feeling of gratitude made a difference, too. Read more

Living In Gratitude: What Makes You Thankful

December 6, 2014/in Living In Gratitude /by Carol Adamski

It’s not what you have in your pocket that makes you thankful, but what you have in your heart.

Often, we look at the things we possess in order to gauge our gratitude. Of course, we should appreciate these material things – our home that provides shelter, our car that easily gets us places we need to go, the clothing that keeps us warm. Read more

Living In Gratitude: Be Blessed

September 27, 2014/in Living In Gratitude /by Carol Adamski

Blessed are those who give without remembering and receive without forgetting. ~ Carol Adamski

When we are able to give to others without keeping a running tally, this allows us to let go and boosts our overall happiness. We should give to others not out of a sense of obligation, but because we genuinely want to express that compliment, cook that meal, volunteer our time. To give freely means nothing is expected in return.

On the flip side, when we are given something, this is where we should be sure to remember the kindness extended or the gift presented. We should express our appreciation and let the giver know how much their gift meant. By showing our gratitude, even with a simple yet heartfelt ‘thank you‘, the giver will feel appreciated, our relationship with them will deepen, and mutually beneficial, positive feelings will result.

It may take some practice to give freely without remembering and receive graciously without forgetting, but it is something well worth the time and energy. The blessings that will grow from this practice will enhance all aspects of your life.

May your day be filled with gratitude and good things.

Gratitude: Candy For Your Doctor? How Appreciation Changes The Interaction

June 28, 2014/in Life experience, Living In Gratitude, Relationships, Showing Appreciation /by Carol Adamski

Appreciation can be a kind of wake-up call. It can spark aliveness and connection in both the receiver and the giver. Below is a description of a study that utilized candy to measure the response of doctors.

I liked the idea and put my own version to work:

Recently I visited a new doctor for my annual check-up. Instead of candy, I brought with me, as a gift, one of the Gratitude Habitat bookmarks. Written on it is, “Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot.” My appointment was at the end of the day. Dr. S. looked a bit tired. As I handed her the bookmark I simply said, “Thank you for the work you do.” She stopped, read it, took a breath and shared a story of how the day before, she told her ailing father how much she appreciated him and how important it was for him to be grateful, too. They talked about what they appreciated about each other and about life. She said that his spirit was lifted and his voice grew stronger. Her facial expression and voice tone were soft and open. Clearly a special moment was created.

My new doctor said to me, “This is a perfect gift for me. Thank you.”

Living In Gratitude: The Prayer of Thank You

June 7, 2014/in Living In Gratitude /by Carol Adamski

If the only prayer you ever say in your life is ‘thank you’, that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart

Two of the most profound words we have in our vocabulary are ‘thank you’. Gratitude is infinite and when we express our appreciation, we are, by definition, offering a prayer. Read more

Living In Gratitude: Life Is About Creating Yourself

May 20, 2014/in Living In Gratitude /by Carol Adamski

Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself. ~ George Bernard Shaw

Every day is a new opportunity. Each moment, we get to choose how we will act, what we will do, if we should explore, what our attitude will be, if we will be friendly or shy, adventurous or play it safe. Whatever we decide, take time to appreciate the fact that we have so many options, that we are able to create ~ or recreate ~ ourselves as we see fit. Go and create the most amazing you that you can be! Read more