Gratitude

I just finished Spirituality Group at work and gosh, I am overwhelmed. The topic for the group was “Gratitude”. I decided to facilitate a group because of my own sense of ungratefulness lately. I have been disgruntled over the past couple of weeks because of the “lack” in my life. Lack of partnership, lack of resources, lack of this, lack of that. All of my focus on my own “lack” lowered my joyful spirit. It definitely was related to an anger spat I had earlier this week. So this morning I was intentional about changing my mood. You must realize that in order to change your mood, you have to change your attitude. Once you change your attitude, your behavior will follow.

So, in today’s group, our activity was to make a list of all that we are grateful for. I encouraged the group to think about EVERYTHING that they are appreciative they are able to experience in their life. From the minute to the grandiose-everything. Out of confidentiality, I will leave their comments out of this blog. I will share with you my experience during this exercise. I became overwhelmed and thought, “Wow!” I felt warm in my insides like when I drink something warm. I really do have some great experiences and if I spent time meditating on these experiences that I am grateful for, sadness would be far and few between.

So Ladies, I encourage you to complete the following exercise and see if it doesn’t lift your mood by lifting your way of thinking about your life.

Blessings,

Aurellia

Gratitude Exercise by Aurellia Anderson, M.Div.

Materials needed: Paper, Pen or Pencil, Journal


1. Get in a quiet place and space.


2. Relax your body, mind, and spirit.


3. Write down on the piece of paper all the items and experiences in your life for which you are grateful for (thankful, appreciative, like, love, excited about, etc).
Even if there is something that comes to mind that you think is so mundane and normal (being alive/breathing), write it down anyway.


I encourage you to spend at least 30 minutes giving yourself to this activity even if you can’t think of anything to write. You will be surprised at what else may come to your mind.


4. After you have completed your list, sit for a moment quietly and ask yourself, “How did writing this list make me feel?” (Ex. Happy, sad, mad, etc.) Journal the answer to that question.


5. Now, read the list you just wrote. Take time with each item and really experience it in your body, mind, and spirit.


6. After you have finished reading the list again, ask yourself, “How did reading the list make me feel?”Journal the answer to this question.


7. In order to keep the attitude of gratitude, place this list in a location where you can be reminded of all that you’re grateful for. It can be life changing.

Something more...and deep breathing...

There is always so much going through my mind...all the time. Lately, I have been thinking about my own call. I am excited and interested in helping others discover their purpose and call in life but lately I question if I am walking in all that I was created to do.

Ever have that feeling that you know you are walking (working) in the right direction but still there is more to all that you are to be? Burning inside is a deep seeded desire to do something but you just can't put your finger on it? Well I have been feeling that lately. So what does one do with that? My suggestion is that you get quiet.

My doctor told me just today to do some deep breathing and meditation when those feelings of anxiety come upon me. In other words, get quiet. Relax. Get quiet. Listen. It will come to you whether you are in the right place and space or direction or not. You will hear the Spirit tell you if you just need a little patience to see the seed sprout or if you are planting in the wrong field.

It's important to live your life on purpose. No use in spinning your wheels in the wrong career. No use. There is a destiny with your name on it. Get quiet and listen.

Blessings,
Aurellia

Happy Monday Morning!

Good Monday Morning Ladies! Gosh, what a weekend. For me it was a quiet weekend at home, de-cluttering, organizing and the likes. I was simply excited and happy at what is to come. I know I am to be happy with what is but while I am happy for what is, I am ecstatic about what my future holds. I have some big dreams and goals that I want to see happen. I am praying and believing in faith that they will come to life. I am doing my part in making those dreams come true. At the same time, I am trying not to get discouraged as I see the seedling still sit in the soil. But I am still excited nonetheless.

On another note, I must say that I am just too inspired by all the women in life I know. They are some amazing women-Mom-types, wives, business owners, Senior Executives, Teachers, mentors, etc. All you ladies inspire me to forgive, to love, to live, to dream, to risk, to enjoy, to laugh, to believe.

On this Monday morning, the start of a brand new week, Love someone. Forgive someone. Let go of someone. Trust someone. Honor someone. Remember, do unto others...

Blessings,
Aurellia

www.HiddenGemCo.com

You Matter

Hello Ladies!! Let me first put a disclaimer on this post: I believe that we all are to have a good portion of humility and stay away from selfish ambition and vain conceit. Now that this is said, let me tell you this: "You Matter." Lately I have been faced with a lot of young adults with serious issues and my spirit was sad. A gunshot wound. A suicide attempt. And a lot of them. To these individuals I just have one message, "You Matter." They look at me with there big eyes filled with some wonder at my words. I ask myself if they hear that phrase often, if at all. I know I was never really told that phrase. I was shown it by people's actions but never really heard it said to me. Something about hearing it said out loud...

Imagine what the world would look like if people actually lived their lives knowing that their presence, their existence actually mattered in the grand scheme of things. Would they make different choices? Would they carry themselves different? I'm not talking about superficial and materialistic actions and behaviors but the downright meaningful, intentional ways of being in the world. Life and death choices.

There would be less killing-homicide and suicide. More grace given to themselves and others. Love all around would be shown because souls would be hungry to learn what it really means to love.

Tell someone (especially a little kid, a teen, girl, boy), "You Matter."

Blessings,
Aurellia