Gratitude makes life more joyful. Use gratitude to turn negative into positive.

I’d like to take this moment to indulge in one of my favorite activities.

Focusing on what I’m grateful for.

What comes to me right now is how grateful I am for the man I share my life with.  I feel so lucky to have the person who I spend the most time with actually be the person I WANT to share my time with.  I’m grateful for the hard things we’ve been through together and who we’ve become together because of those hard things. 

I’m grateful for the amazing weather right now.  I get to walk and hike and spend time outside in just perfect conditions.  I love where I live.  I love the beauty I am surrounded by.  And that makes me think about where I live…

I’m grateful for the people who live in my neighborhood.  Good, honest, kind and fun people that I love.  These people helped raise my kids.  These people are my friends.  I am grateful to feel included in their lives as well.  I just can’t believe I get to live life with them around me.  I am so grateful for them!!

I seriously could go on and on….there is ALWAYS something to be grateful for.

Nothing gets me out of a slump faster than turning my thoughts to what’s RIGHT in my life instead of focusing on what’s not.

Have you found this to be true?  Take a few minutes right now and think of 3 things you’re thankful for and why.  Pay attention how you feel as you do this. 

It’s hard to feel bad when you’re thinking about the positive aspects of your life.

If you’re listening to this right now, you’re living more abundantly than most of the world’s population.

If you’re listening to this:

• You have electricity, an internet connection and either a computer or a smart phone.

• You must have an income, or you couldn’t pay for the connection to that electricity or data plan. 
• You’re safe enough to have the luxury of checking your email, scrolling through your social media feed or googling about gratitude.
• I think it’s safe to assume that you have clean water and enough food to eat.  If you don’t have enough food to eat, please cancel the data plan. 

Let’s get real if this is you, it’s time to prioritize my friend!

I mean… whenever I get caught up in a pitty-party, and let’s be honest, it happens…

When I choose to focus on all the basics that I have, it’s easier to turn to thoughts of gratitude.

It’s a pretty simple practice. 

What wakes you up from your pitty-party?

I learned in Harvard-Health

“In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.”

No one gets through life without experiencing hard times.

BUT,

there is still plenty to keep our spirits up. 

It’s a matter of focus. 

I’ve shared this quote before from Russell M. Nelson, “The JOY we feel has little to do with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the FOCUS of our lives.” 

It’s not the circumstance, it’s where you choose to put your focus.

It’s always about what YOU CHOOSE!

What do you want to get BIGGER in your life? 

What would you like to have more of? 

That’s where you need to put your Focus. 

You get to choose EVERY moment of EVERY day where you put your focus. 

Do you focus on the good things?

AND do you do it on a regular basis? 

Just think of the quality of life you could have if you focused on what you’re grateful for every day. 

Every. 

Single. 

Day.

If you’ve ever tried it,

You know that it’s

It’s life changing!

Michael Hyatt said this about Gratitude:

“-Gratitude Keeps us HOPEFUL

Our circumstances look a certain way; then something happens to improve them. 

Gratitude happens when we take notice of the distance between the two.

-Gratitude Improves our PATIENCE

Achieving big goals takes time and effort.  Gratitude can keep us in the game.

-Gratitude Reminds us we have AGENCY

If we don’t use our agency to receive and act on what others have done for us, we wouldn’t benefit as much.

-Gratitude Expands possible RESPONSES

Gratitude moves us into a place of abundance—a place where we’re more resourceful, creative, generous, optimistic, and kind.  When we’re operating from a place of scarcity, we are more likely to be closed-minded, tightfisted, gloomy and even mean.  Most of this we know this from practical experience.  We feel better, perform better, and respond to life’s ups and down better when we’re grateful.”

Sometimes there are other feelings that get in the way of being able to feel gratitude. 

Try working through those feelings first or maybe choose a different area of your life where gratitude might come a little easier.

Sometimes we lose gratitude for things because we’ve let them become ordinary.  You can find new magic in these types of things by trying to imagine your life without them.  See if that helps.

Here’s my challenge for you:

Write down at least 4 things every day that you are grateful for.  Write more if you can.  It becomes a fun way to focus on things that are happening throughout your day and finding all the things you are grateful for.  It’s especially helpful when you’re having a “down” day. 

Really let yourself enjoy this assignment and enjoy the feelings that come with being grateful!

In fact, I’d like to expand that challenge:  Try writing 25 things that you’re grateful for.

Start by writing a list. And then, when you have time later today, write a bit about why they mean so much to you.

Don’t take the easy way out, really reach for things beyond the “normal” answers.

Take a photo that represents some of these things. Then, share them with someone you love.

When you allow yourself to dive deep into gratitude, you’re going to find a secret weapon for joy.  Look for things that you’d be lost without and then watch how your joy expands!  It’s truly magic!!

Gratitude is one of the supplies I teach you about in Camp Connection.

Camp Connection is a workshop I teach that helps you create a more connected life.

Through simple supplies included in your First-Aid kit, I will help you become more connected to your true self and how that will help you to become more connected with the people you love most.

I teach Camp Connection 3 different ways:

#1:  You can buy the course at https://hunkeedori.com/camp

This is the option for those that want to do the course on their own terms.  You can watch it when and where you’d like. 

Option #2: If you’d like me to teach a group you’ve put together, email me marla@hunkeedori.com and we’ll get a time where I’ll teach it to you FREE.  We can do it LIVE and in person at my house or yours if you live close enough to me or…

Option #3: I can teach it to the group you’ve put together over a LIVE Zoom call.

Any of these options are great.

When you connect to your SELF all of your other connections become deeper & more lasting.  When you learn the importance of knowing who you are, what you want, and who you choose to become, everything in life is easier…not easy…but easier.

I can’t wait to share this life changing camp with you, whatever option you choose.  You’ll find those links in the show notes.

Thanks for joining me here today and remember:

I see you.  I understand how hard you’re trying, and I’d like to help however I can.

Have a wonderful day and I’ll see you back here again very soon.