“Gratitude is not only the greatest of the virtues
but the parent of all others.” Cicero
Your thoughts produce emotions in response to sensory information, memories, or anticipation of future events which in turn trigger a physical response.
Thoughts about public speaking for example, can produce a dry throat, sweating palms, and a racing heart in some people while others look forward to addressing a large group of people; feeling relaxed, excited and positive anticipation when they think about the future event.
Positively reframing memories and current events promotes hope for the future. There are several methods that can be implemented and one that I use and share during seminars is called “Reverse Gratitude.”
Reverse Gratitude
Instead of thinking about 3 things every day that you are grateful for, pause and consider different aspects of your life, whether it is possessions or relationships, and think about how you would feel if a particular object or person was no longer in your life.
It is especially useful when struggling to come up with reasons to give thanks or express appreciation, particularly when the mind is drawn to past conversations or comparisons that cultivate a cycle of negative feelings.
This helps to highlight what you actually have need of, what you value, and releases the full range of genuinely grateful feelings to events that brought you to where you are now, to lovingly appreciate what you have in life, and to live in hopeful anticipation about what the future holds.
Affirmation
May you and I be happy
May you and I be well
May you and I be at peace
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