“The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.”
– Zig Ziglar
I have found this saying to be so true. August is usually a difficult month, as it is the month that I lost my mum, the anniversary always seems to hang over the month and I await the day with bated breath not quite knowing how I am going to feel, as the event replays in my mind it does at times open an old wound and the heart ache is still raw, yet not as heavy.
This year marked four years, which feels quite surreal, I’m not sure where the time has gone. Looking back it all feels like a bit of a blur, the years blending into each other. However this year was different. For the first time in four years I felt okay and for the first time in a long time the month of August has been pretty awesome. My intention at the beginning of the month was to have an “Amazing August” and my mantra was “Believe in the Impossible, Expect the Unexpected”. And once again I was reminded how powerful intention is. It has been a month of pleasant surprises, unexpected visitors and joyful experiences! I have seen friends and family who live far away, reconnected with old friends, and connected with new friends. I was constantly reminded of how many special people I have in my life, perhaps sent by our angel in the sky.
I have no doubt that the a reason for this August being so good was due to my gratitude challenge. 22 August marked 100 Days of Gratitude. This is what I wrote
“Today is day 100 of my ‘100 Days of Gratitude Challenge’ and as I sit and reflect on the last 100 days I have such a peace and appreciation in my heart. The shift in myself in the last 100 days had been amazing, once again gratitude has become a habit and second nature and I am aware of the rich abundance of blessings I have in my life.
Day 100, I am grateful for my beautiful mum, who’s presence is at times still so tangible, for my heart healing and opening again, for feeling joy and being truly happy, for my amazing supportive family, for feeling connected to and supported by life and for being able to do work that I absolutely love. I am so lucky and so so blessed.”
It has been just over a week since the challenge ended and I am missing the Instagram posts! Gratitude is part of daily life, as it has been for as long as I can remember, ever since I was a little girl I have fallen asleep saying a “Thank you for today prayer” however it is the act of accountability that makes the difference and deepens the shift. For me it was a daily Instagram post for you it might be writing in a gratitude journal. Through gratitude I have found joy in day to day living again and am constantly reminded of the richness and beauty of life. Thank you to Julia Cameron for this quote
“Joy not suffering is the portal to the Divine”
I leave you with this paragraph from my August 2016 blog about my first gratitude challenge, it really is the best gift you can give yourself.
“My little gratitude challenge has turned out to be one of the best gifts I have given myself. When I started I didn’t really think about what would happen or what the effects would be I just knew it was something I had to do! After day 3 I already started to notice to the positive effects! After day 30 it felt as if my whole world was opening up. And after day 55 I feel like a different person. I have such an appreciation in my heart for life, for all my experiences I’ve had along the way, for my family, for my friends and for all things.”
*First published August 2017*