The Gratitude Effect

For those of you who follow Sarah Wilson's Newspaper Column 'A Better Life' you will have read her recent article on Gratitude. I am big on Gratitude's or being 'Thankful' and am happy that it is making it into mainstream media. Sarah interviewed Dr.John Demartini - author of "The Gratitude Effect", who espouses that "What you think about and thank about, you bring about."

I know when you are in the middle of chaos and dis-organization with kids, work etc, it's hard to imagine, let alone appreciate how on earth this can really be the case. I have been in the overwhelmed, negative Mindset in that past and know that your Mindset or in other words your Attitude makes all the difference to your quality of life. That's not to say as soon as you start thinking more proactively and positively that your life will turn into a bed of roses. The life you have created took years to cultivate - for better or worse, and it takes time to undo some of the negative thought patterns and make the new thought patterns become the 'norm' and to have the desired effect.

I notice, as I am sure you do too, that my mood is reflected in my children. In the past when I was 'depressed' they were more needy and prone to bickering but when I am positive, solution focused and patient with them they are calmer and happier all round (not perfect by any means but WAY better without a doubt.)

Our moods bounce off each other collectively. Think about this on a larger scale, if you only come into contact with grumpy, aggressive or domineering people this takes its toll. If you surround yourself with positive, kind hearted people this will rub off on you. So if you are in a dark place, where you can not see the light at the end of the tunnel or can not think of much, if anything to be grateful, for that's one of the first places to start. Look at what is lifting you 'up' and what is pulling you 'down' - and start to weed out the latter and you will gradually see all manner of big and small things to be grateful for.

Demartini says, "The act of writing down your grateful thoughts is important. It makes the positive in your life become the focus, which brings about more of just that." So put pen to paper or at the very least think these proactive thoughts and with patience and as much humour as you can muster, whilst you make this shift you will get there. Read what you can on the topic to understand it better and above all put it into practice. It is worth the effort - believe me!

If you want to read more about how to become a positive thinker and what part being grateful plays then you like to read this article.

Claire McFee
Organize Your Life Organizers

Organize Time Out For Yourself to Meditate

I used to think that Meditation 'wasn't for me'.... and more to the point that it simply 'wouldn't work for me', because my mind always went so darn fast I didn't think I would be able to learn slow it down.

I'm happy to report that I was wrong and that Mediation has and continues to work very effectively for me. Here's how....I was presented with the opportunity to partake in an 8 week Mindfulness Course run by Monash University. It was basically learning how to Meditate and be 'in the moment'. When we are 'in the moment' we can not worry about past events or future happenings - which is blissful for someone who used to worry a lot, or 'ruminate' as it is also somberly known.

We had to do Homework during this Mindfulness/Meditation Based Program, part of which was organizing our day in such a way that we could find time to Meditate for 45minutes a day, as well a find several 3 'minute breathing spaces'to practise Mindfulness. Our Meditation Practice was invaluable to make it part of our new routine....not that I now mediate every day for 45 mins. I tend to meditate for smaller amounts of time in the morning, and at night before I go to sleep, which is when I do my 'Gratitude's'. If you haven't heard about making time to be thankful for what your are grateful for, it is as simple as that. (Oprah is actually big on them.) It is a very helpful way to see the good in your life and to focus on that even if you are facing challenging times.

I continue to find the 3 minute breathing spaces incredibly useful. Often during what I would previously have considered quite boring, mundane tasks, such as washing the dishes, hanging the washing out or putting the rubbish out. I REALLY take notice of what I am doing like feeling the warm water on my hands while doing to dishes, or breathing in the fresh air and grabbing a quick does of sunshine while doing outside chores. It surprisingly does make a big difference to how I feel and helps keep my stress levels down, by taking a breather that I wouldn't otherwise take during the day. Why don't you try it and see for yourself. You deserve the time for yourself. If you struggle with this concept of deserving 'me time' then trust that it will benefit everything else you do - inlcluding work, homelife, personal relationships -you name it. So it's a win/win thing to do. So go try some meditating yourself!

If you want to read more about Meditation and other related topics, then you may like to read an article of mine on the topic here.


Bye for now,

Claire McFee
Organize Your Life