Three Good Things in 3-D
I keep coming back to the lesson on Three Good Things. When I first read this step, I felt like, “sure, yes, gratitude, I do this…” as I was writing about it, but since that day I have found myself thinking about it with a more skeptical eye. DO I do this? I perform little rituals at different times, but every single day before I sleep, I name and give thanks for all the things I can think of for which I am grateful. This makes me feel good—close to the list of loved ones and enriched by the socioemotional supports and physical comforts I perceive in my life—it helps me sleep. But, is this authentic appreciation, or merely a pattern of lip service being repeated out of habit? Is gratitude a phrase uttered in thanks, or is it better measured in compassionate acts of relating to others? In trying to be more mindful, I find myself drifting back to these questions and wondering how I might improve my relationships with all the people on my nightly list of loved ones regardless of our geographical locations and grown-up schedules. I welcome any suggestions that might help bridge distance gaps and those caused by incompatible schedules with some of the valued members of a far-flung social network.
@Jennifire
I think for me gratitude is more of an action than a word uttered in silence.
Or a thrown away comment
Its about making a decision to tell yourself daily, that you have something to give thanks for
Not take things for granted.
It takes practice.
We can lose sight of if it very easily!
💜💕
@Amanda84 You are so right! It really does take practice--mindful, intentional practice--and it is extremely easy to lose sight of.
Thank you for your comment!
@Jennifire
A pleasure 💜🥰
@Jennifire I understand that it is difficult to schedule a time to always remember to write down the three good things you do during the day. I am also arranging the time so that I can write them because if I write too early, all the good things have not yet had time to bloom, and if I write too late, I will rest for my next journey. Everyone has a strategy for arranging a schedule to write three good things every day so that they do not forget, it takes time to form a new habit. Once it becomes a habit, it is difficult for you to forget this little schedule.
@HealingwithMinionn It is all about habit forming isn't it? Why or why is it so much easier to form unhelpful habits, lol? Like, I only have to sleep in ONE time before I want to keep sleeping in every day thereafter! You are right. I need to find a way to balance that too early vs too late thing because I am much more focused and enthusiastic about writing earlier in the day and tend to find myself juggling to deal with a number of different things that all want to inhabit that sweet spot between dinner and bedtime...It is nearly time for fall cleaning in my house, it might be worthwhile to consider moving some things around in my calendar to better accommodate this healthy helpful practice too.
Thanks so much for your comments and have a great day!