Today is National Gratitude Day.
Over the years, I have learned how important gratitude truly is. Even when I’m going through the hardest of times, whenever I am able to take a moment and think about one or two things I am grateful for, I am amazed at the positive and uplifting shift that occurs in my thoughts and energy. I try daily to make it a practice to think of all the things I am grateful for.
Encouraging gratitude in my students is also one of my favorite ways to end the meditation portion of the classes I teach. I have found that making a list of 5 things I am grateful for is a helpful starting point when I sit down to journal. It generally isn’t that hard to do. Once I’m in that grateful space the feeling just keeps expanding. When we have a grateful heart we appreciate what is in our lives so much more.
I made a list of 5 things I am grateful for today (it changes daily!)
- My community of teachers and owners – I just completed the workshop intensives that occur every year in Chicago. (Santa Barbara and SF are yet to come!) I am immensely grateful for the creativity, passion and the love that I rediscover in that group of people each time we come together in this forum. Thank you!
- My health – From the moment I was diagnosed with breast cancer and onto the day that I broke my ankle, I have learned not to take health for granted and to appreciate all that my body does for me every day.
- Where I live – My home, my town, my community are all places that make me feel happy and safe.
- My family – My kids, Mom, sisters, brothers-in-law and the best nieces and nephews ever – They love unconditionally and are some of my favorite people to spend time with.
- All of the amazing people in the world that work hard and selflessly to create foundations to support and build up those in need.
Next weekend in New York I’m teaching a class at #DareToBareNYC to help support one of those amazing foundations, The Movemeant Foundation. This foundation empowers women and girls by providing body-positive, self-confidence building tools, resources, financial grants and experiences where fitness and physical movement is the gateway to her feeling powerful in the skin she is in. ‘Dare to Bare’ is more than an event. It’s a national movement that asks women and girls an important question: what if we dare to overcome the insecurities we have about our bodies and instead chose to bare our vulnerabilities in an effort to conquer them? We will reveal the most powerful version of ourselves next weekend. And we want you to join us.
I am truly grateful that I have the opportunity to bring my passion and talents to help support this amazing foundation. Join me in NYC if you can and do your part to make this world just a little bit better. Together, we can #DareToBare!
I’m also grateful you read the whole blog! 🙂
Love,
Jill