What you focus on expands
For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been following a practice suggested in one of the e-zines I receive. (I cannot now remember which one, or I would give it credit.)
The practice is, at the end of every day, think back to “what went right.” Then write it down.
At the beginning of every day, write down whatever you think of that you are grateful for.
I have known for a long time that expressing gratitude is a great mood-lifter. I was pleasantly surprised by how even more uplifting it is to be systematic about taking time for gratitude at the beginning and end of every day.
The logic underlying the practice was based on the knowledge that what you focus on expands. Many of us (including me) are often quick to focus on what we don’t appreciate or what we are not liking in our lives. The more we focus on what we don’t like, the more of the same we are going to have in our lives.
Choosing to focus on “what went right” and what we are grateful for expands how much of the things we like will be in our lives.
Watch for perfect moments
Since I know I’m going to jot down “what went right” at the end of every day, I find that I’m starting to watch for perfect moments. What a great thing to do! It completely changes my focus.
Here were some of my perfect moments in the past week:
· Having my family sing “Happy Birthday” to me – complete with birthday cake and a judicious number of candles. When the song got to “Happy birthday dear ____” I heard “Mom,” “Bonnie” and “Grandma” simultaneously and thought what a rich and wonderful life I have.
· Listening to an audio file I created a while ago, and liking it even more than I remembered!
· At a dinner attended by young people who have overcome many challenges, hearing a young man say, “I am thankful for sobriety and my family” in the presence of his partner and the 15-month-old daughter whose birth inspired new directions in their lives.
· Sinking into one of my favorite pieces of classical music and letting the music wash over me.
· Totally enjoying being part of teleseminars with Carrie Greene – what a treat to collaborate with a like-minded colleague, relishing the differences in our skills and styles, while sharing a common commitment to helping people.
· Being blown away by the beauty of a sunset.
· Being in the presence of two dedicated people who run a cadet program, and who heard a tribute to their program supported by all four political parties in attendance at a political debate. All four political parties agreeing on anything was a miraculous moment! Feeling the excitement and happiness of these two people created a perfect moment for me too.
· Discovering that a piece of work I was not looking forward to had already been completed by someone else – and better than I would have done it!
· A welcoming hug from my husband who met me at the airport late at night.
· Sharing transitions with two dear friends who have both recently experienced major changes in their lives. Feeling blessed by the gift of deep and profound connections with highly evolved people.
Record your perfect moments
I’ve been jotting down perfect moments. The practice makes me smile. Better yet, I can look back at all the perfect moments at times when I need an energy booster.
If writing down what went right is not something you would enjoy, you can make a “mental note” that you will remember this moment and savor it again and again.
Whether your perfect moments are jotted down or “recorded” in your memory, make a point of re-visiting them again and again. Sometimes you revisit them for the sheer pleasure. Other times, when you are feeling less than optimum, choose to remember perfect moments in order to uplift your mood and energy.
Expand your perfect moments
Remember your perfect moments and re-experience the energy you felt at a perfect moment. Then imagine that “perfect moment” energy expanding and filling your mind, your emotions, and your body.
Play with the energy
Play with the energy of a “perfect moment.” For example…
· See if you can tap into “perfect moment” energy just before you are beginning a new task.
· See if you can take that “perfect moment” energy into another situation.
· See if you can get that energy to expand and fill a room.
Your coaching challenge
For the next week, watch for “What went right?” At the end of every day, make a note (preferably on paper, but at least a mental note) of all the things that went right. At the beginning of every day, take 3 minutes to think of things you appreciate.
For the next week, play with the energy of perfect moments.
Going global
Imagine perfect moments happening all over the globe.
Imagine the energy of perfect moments infusing every continent.
I totally believe this concept. I have been recording all the good things that happened since 2004 and I have found a sense of fulfillment. Gratitude journal is worth maintaining, just like brushing your teeth.
Posted by: Lalitha | 12/20/2009 at 04:51 PM