Gratitude List 11/06/2019: I Get To

Gratitude List 11/06/2019

“Begin your day with an ‘I get to’ mentality instead of an ‘I have to’ thought process…. I GET to go to work. I GET to have a busy day. Whatever it may be. We often dress our opportunities as stress, but they are in fact blessings.”

I read this quote yesterday. I’ve recently attempted to describe this exact change of mindset but never felt I did it justice. This though, has hit the nail on the head.

‘I have to do this, I have to do that’, this type of thinking can easily lead me to procrastination or parking it completely. A much more positive attitude towards these ‘opportunities’ is ‘I get to to do this, I get to do that’.

Below are ten blessed opportunities that my mind can dress up as painstaking chores by thinking ‘I have to’. Today I choose to think differently.

Today I am grateful I get to do some meditation.

Today I am grateful I get to attend a meeting.

Today I am grateful I get to call two fellows.

Today I am grateful I get to do some written work.

Today I am grateful I get to go to work.

Today I am grateful I get to eat healthy.

Today I am grateful I get to go to the gym.

Today I am grateful I get to be honest – with myself and others.

Today I am grateful I get to learn something new.

Today I am grateful I get to think like this.

Truly blessed I am!

🙏🏻💪🏻👍🏻❤😊

Originally posted by Grounding Growth… Thank you for the inspiration!!! https://groundinggrowth.com/2019/06/09/quick-inspiration-to-boost-your-mood-i-get-to/

Gratitude List 03/06/2019: Good signs

Gratitude List 03/06/2019

Today I am grateful for the sleep in the corner of my eye, a sign of the good night’s sleep I had.

Today I am grateful for my slightly sore upper arms, a sign I spent most of yesterday out in the fresh air and sun.

Today I am grateful for my achey body, a sign that I did a solid workout at the gym.

Today I am grateful for the wild and frizzy hair style I am sporting this morning, a sign I had a hot shower.

Today I am grateful for the packed lunch in my bag, a sign that I took the time to prepare for the day.

Today I am grateful for my heavy bag, a sign that I am carrying my step work with me.

Today I am grateful I am in no rush, a sign that I got up and left on time.

Today I am grateful for my peace of mind, a sign that I have accepted the things I cannot change and had the courage to change the things I can.

Today I am grateful for the smile on my face, a sign that I am happy with who I am.

Today I am grateful I am doing this list, a sign that I am connected to the programme.

Gratitude List 27/04/2019: Falling Short

Gratitude List 27/04/2019

“Suppose we fall short of the chosen ideal and stumble? Does this mean we are going to get drunk? Some people tell us so. But this is only a half-truth. It depends on us and on our motives. If we are sorry for what we have done, and have the honest desire to let God take us to better things, we believe we will be forgiven and will have learned our lesson. If we are not sorry, and our conduct continues to harm others, we are quite sure to drink. We are not theorizing. These are facts out of our experience. “

Alcoholics Anonymous, PG. 70

Today I am grateful I have a better idea of what ‘the chosen ideal’ is. Without this knowledge I’d be in denial.

Today I am grateful I have the humility to honestly admit when I have fallen short.

Today I am grateful that personal experience has proven these falls do not automatically lead to a relapse and that a lot will depend on my response.

Today I am grateful I do ask God, as I understand Him, for forgiveness, praying only for knowledge of His will and the power to carry it out. I do this on a daily basis.

Today I am grateful that I believe God has forgiven me each and every time and will continue to do so as long as there’s an honest desire on my behalf.

Today I am grateful that I do take these falls as an opportunity to learn, improve myself and equip myself for the future.

Today I am grateful I am under no illusion that if I am not sorry and I continue a conduct that will harm others, including myself, then a relapse is inevitable.

Today I am grateful I don’t have theorize! I don’t want to decide what’s right and what’s wrong. I’m no good at it anyway. The facts are there in clear view if I wish to see them.

Today I am grateful for those who share their own falls. If I truly listen without judgement, I can learn from them – I don’t have to go through the same terrifying experiences to prove it.

Gratitude List 25/04/2019: Could be worse

Gratitude List 25/04/2019

Below is a list of ten things which I could easily view as negative. My mindset towards each one can positively switch to one of gratitude if I simply recognise that every one could be worse.

Today I am grateful for my backache because I know it could be worse.

Today I am grateful for making a bad decision this morning because I know it could be worse.

Today I am grateful for my powerlessness because I know it could be worse.

Today I am grateful for my limited financial budget this month because I know it could be much worse.

Today I am grateful for the disappointing change in my circumstances at work because I know it could be worse.

Today I am grateful for another long day at work ahead of me because I know it could be worse.

Today I am grateful for some tough relationships because I know they could be worse.

Today I am grateful for this cloudy day because I know it could be worse.

Today I am grateful for my rock bottoms because I know they could’ve been worse.

Today I am grateful I support Spurs because it definitely could be worse 😉

Gratitude List 09/04/2019: Happy Birthday!

Gratitude List 09/04/2019

Today I am grateful to have my son wake up at ours on his 17th birthday.

Today I am grateful to have him in my life. Quite simply, it’s a blessing.

Today I am grateful for the time we get to spend together. Naturally I wish for even more, but I am grateful because my past could have led to much worse.

Today I am grateful for his courage. When I reflect on how brave he has been, it’s very inspiring.

Today I am grateful for how mature my son is. At times, he has shown maturity beyond his years.

Today I am grateful for the lessons I can learn from him. As well as courage he displays many strengths of character, strengths that I am striving for myself.

Today I am grateful for the brother he is to his little sister. He is very caring, loving, ‘tolererant’ and incredibly protective.

Today I am grateful for how friendly he is. He displays great humility and trust. His friends look to him for support and advice. He’s the go-to friend.

Today I am grateful for the shared interests we have. They bring a teenage son and his dad closer together.

Today I am grateful for our relationship. Its been a roller-coaster – some great times and some difficult times but all in all we are in a good place today.

Today I am grateful for this list. I can’t deny I often focus too much on what my son does wrong. It’s good to reflect on his many positives. He’s an amazing young man, one I’m very proud of.

Gratitude List 05/04/2019: Beautiful People

Gratitude List 05/04/2019

With all the negative publicity it’s easy to forget there’s so much good in this world. I’ve spent most of the morning on public transport which can be a testing time in the London rush hour. But today I am grateful to be seeing the good, especially in people.

Today I am grateful for the lovely family we share a commute with almost on a daily basis. The three children are adorable and well behaved. Always by their side, their mother, who you can tell is doing an amazing job.

Today I am grateful for the crowdful of people that accepted the queue into Seven Sisters for what it is – a time to show patience.

Today I am grateful for the tube driver who took the time at each station to personally announce the stop and wish everyone ‘a great day’.

Today I am grateful for the man (who could quite easily be stereotyped in a negative way) that continuously offered his seat up to people less able.

Today I am grateful for the busker at Kings Cross who shared his passion for music. He was having a great time jamming with his accordion!

Today I am grateful for the member of staff at the hospital who enthusiastically bounced through the waiting room carrying a tin with what I can only assume had a home baked cake inside.

Today I am grateful for the lady who held the door open for us. We weren’t exactly close behind her but she held it nevertheless. The simple things.

Today I am grateful for the platform speaker at London Bridge (yes TFL again!) who made everyone smile with his unique way of telling people to ‘mind the doors’.

Today I am grateful for my colleague at work who is absolutely nuts! 100 miles an hour! 25 hours a day! But he’s always got a smile on his face! He may not love his job, but he loves life!

Gratitude List 29/03/2019: Seek the positives

Gratitude List 29/03/2019

Flipping the negatives = a change of mindset.

Today I am grateful that although I’m exhausted it’s because I worked hard yesterday and not because I’m feeding my compulsions.

Today I am grateful that although my legs ache (and the hips don’t lie, Shakira Shakira) it’s because of the positive exercise I did yesterday.

Today I am grateful that although I missed some fellowship last night, I got to unite three times in the days before. Where I live, I have opportunities every day!

Today I am grateful that although I have a fear, it’s small in comparison to those I used to create and this one will more than likely be nothing to worry about.

Today I am grateful that although I have another busy day ahead of me, most of it I will enjoy, plus I don’t have to work the weekend.

Today I am grateful that although I am aware I need to improve certain aspects of my life, I have come a long, long way and can use that success to motivate me further.

Today I am grateful that although I picked up my phone to use whilst driving I told myself to not be stupid, put it down and pulled over.

Today I am grateful that although I was caused harm and as a result felt resentment, I know how to deal with it quickly and sufficiently without making things worse.

Today I grateful that although my phone network has packed up today, I have still been able to text and call, plus I’ve actually enjoyed it. Hence the delay in sending this list ;).

Today I am grateful I am able to put a positive spin on negative things. I used to do the opposite.

Gratitude List 25/03/2019: Good for my soul and spirit

Gratitude List 25/03/2019

Everyday for the last couple of years I’ve been trying to improve as a person. The drive behind this progression is to be of best use to the people around me (and God). There have been moments where personal gain has been a motive, I’m no saint, but for the main it’s been for selfless reasons. If I look closely though, I realise I actually get an abundance in return.

Today I am grateful I get to witness happiness.

Today I am grateful I get to witness smiles and laughter.

Today I am grateful I get to witness recovery.

Today I am grateful I get to witness gratitude.

Today I am grateful I get to witness hope.

Today I am grateful I get to witness trust.

Today I am grateful I get to witness serenity.

Today I am grateful I get to witness love.

Today I am grateful I get to witness forgiveness.

Through witnessing such emotions I am in effect surrounding myself with positivity. Posivite emotions which in turn do the world of good to my soul and spirit. Extremely grateful because I know what it’s like to experience the opposite when I’m regression.

Gratitude List 04/03/2019: Positive thinking

Gratitude List 04/03/2019

I love a little moan…. Thankfully, by practicing gratitude, I am more often than not quick to see the positive side – the silver lining.

Today I am grateful that when my girlfriend causes me harm, I remember (sometimes after a while) that I have a girlfriend and one I love… and one I almost lost.

Today I am grateful that when it’s wet, windy and cold, I remember I have a home to go to, a warm coat to wear and I live in a country where the weather doesn’t reach extreme measures.

Today I am grateful that when things are financially tight, I remember I have some and that things used to be so much worse.

Today I am grateful that when I wish I wasn’t doing overtime, I remember that thousands and thousands do not have any employment at all.

Today I am grateful that when I’d rather not look at the list of house chores, I remember that having a home is a blessing I cannot forget and keeping it clean is good for my serenity.

Today I am grateful that when I wish I could do better with certain things, I remember all the positive changes I have made in the last couple of years. I remember where I’ve come from.

Today I am grateful that when I miss my kids, I remember that I get to see them twice a week. I could have easily been in a position where I either saw them less, or even to the point where they didn’t want to see me.

Today I am grateful that when I receive criticism, I remember (sometimes slowly) the lessons I can learn from it.

Gratitude List 27/02/2019: Definition of a Mature Person Part Three

Gratitude List 27/02/2019

Definition of an Mature Person Part 3 (see part 1 and part 2)

10. We can endure defeat and disappointment without whining or complaining?

Today I am grateful the most positive thing about enduring defeat is I rarely feel defeated. Not in an arrogant ‘I never lose’ way, because I don’t win much either. Plus my football team often get defeated when I don’t expect them too! What I mean is I rarely whine or complain and if I do it doesn’t last long. Wow it used to so different!

11. We do not worry unduly about things that cannot be helped?

Today I am grateful I don’t worry for the right reasons. Before, I didn’t worry about things because I utilised surpression instead, I didn’t have the strength to cope with life’s challenges. Today, I don’t worry because of acceptance. I do my upmost to accept the things I cannot change. I do my best to accept life on life’s terms.

12. We are not given to boasting or “showing off in socially unacceptable ways?

Today I am grateful this has hugely improved. I still occasionally feed my ego and join in with unhealthy banter or gossip, but I do try not too. My boasting has been cut down and replaced with humbleness. I used to crave recognition for everything from everyone. Today I find myself giving praise to others.

13. We are honestly glad when others enjoy success or good fortune. We have outgrown envy and jealousy?

Today I am grateful I do enjoy it when others are successful or have good fortune. I really do. I am quick to congratate them. My envy and jealousy always led to self-pity. Now, I am outgrowing these defects. Practicing gratitude has played a huge role in me appreciating what I have instead of always desiring what I do not.

14. We are open-minded enough to listen thoughtfully to the opinions of others and do not become vigorously argumentative when our views are opposed?

Today I am grateful open-mindedness is now in my life. I admit I had to Google the meaning to start with. Listening to the opinions of others? Me? Never! It was my way or the highway and I would vigorously argue until I proved it. Or I would sit in silence and let resentments spin out of control in my mind. Today, I remind myself to accept people for who they are and accept that people’s views and values will differ from mine.