Monday Motivation: my 60 ways to be thankful

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Amanda Stansfield

Being thankful is so much more than saying thank you for the food on your plate or being grateful for having a roof over your head. Practicing gratitude is a mindset and most importantly a lifestyle. It’s a feeling of appreciation for what comes your way everyday. From the mundane to the wow. True graciousness is a warm, uplifting feeling and can completely transform an ordinary day into an extraordinary day. True gratitude is when you focus your attention on blessings and never take anything or anyone for granted.

 

“Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”

– Mark Twain

How often do you pause to appreciate what you have in life? As I’ve gotten older I’ve definitely learned to appreciate what I have more. I’ve come to realize life is a privilege and what I make of it is on me.

Below I share 11 different categories you can use to inspire more gratitude in your own life.

11 categories of thankfulness

  1. Your body:

    Your body is your temple. How you treat it both on the inside and the outside is a direct reflection how you want to be treated. Do you stuff your face with junk food, only to power through a workout class the following day? Are you binge watching TV until the wee hours of the night then swear at yourself for staying up too late the following morning? Do you have one to many alcohol beverages then pump your body full of pain killers the next day? Instead… Thank your body for sticking with you all the times you ate, drank or dabbled in less than optimal healthy choices. Thank your heart for feeling what true love is. Thank your mind for helping navigate all the years you spent in school. Practice… Choose healthy, organic foods whenever possible, download my free grocery download here, drink 1/2 your body weight in ounces of clean water each day. Get out into nature. Move your body every day. Use non toxic products. Get 8 hours of sleep. Meditate and Practice Gratitude. Read more on Gratitude here here and here. Read more on Meditation here. Soul Share… After showering, give yourself a goddess massage and say thank you to every single body part for its unique role in carrying you through your day. When you touch every part of your body you become intimately connected with it, are there changes you need to make to love it unconditionally?

  2. Your family:

    This is your tribe. You were raised and brought into this world and taught so many life lessons by your parents. Your children are your new teachers in life and allow the child in you to continue to shine. Practice… Let your children know you are grateful they chose you to be their guide in this life. Say thank you for all the little things they do no matter how small. Read more on healthy basics for your littles here. Thank your partner for the mundane chores he or she performs. Recognize the role your parents had in your upbringing and showing you unconditional love. Soul Share… We hurt those we love the most, and in turn those who love us the most can betray us and cause incredible pain. Rather than begrudging and holding onto frustration recognize the pain they are going through and shower them with love and gratitude. Every emotion is a circle. What you project out, comes back full circle. Your selflessness can transform any estranged relationship, be the first to make a difference.

  3. Your pets:

    Talk about unconditional love and pure devotion. Let your fur babies know how loved they are and how thankful you are to have them in your life. Practice… commit to feeding your fur babies at the same time each day, they rely on your schedule. Rain or shine get out outdoors (if you have a pup) with them. Soul Share… Your fur baby can be your best confidant. They also imprint with your emotions, talk to them, laugh with them, sing and include them in your random dance parties!

  4. Momma Earth:

    Say thank you for the rain even when you wish for sun. Say thank you to the trees that provide the oxygen you breathe. Show your gratitude to the flowers, plants, shrubs and trees that bloom and provide food and shelter for the bird and bees which add to our circle of life. Practice… reduce, reuse and recycle! What is one thing you can do today to reduce your carbon footprint? Soul Share…  hang a bird feeder outside your home and welcome new friends into your life. When you swim in the ocean use reef safe products.

  5. Your home:

    Be thankful for your home just as it is. Be grateful for the warmth it provides. Practice… Show gratitude by making your bed every day before you leave the house. End your day with a clean kitchen and I promise you’ll be especially thankful the following morning. Read more here. Soul Share… your home is a reflection of you. Declutter, donate and give away any unnecessary items. Remove negative energy… Cleanse your home of any negative energy by burning sage which has the power the neutralize negative energy. Open your doors and windows so negative energy can leave your home. Light the sage for approx 30 seconds and blow on it. Waft the smoke into corners, ceilings and other small areas of your home. Start by your front door to keep negative energy out. Essential oils… Frankincense is known to enhance the powers of sage and is known as the ‘transformer’. It has strong detoxifying and purifying properties and absorbs negative energy. Add a couple drops to your diffuser to ease feelings of stress and anxiety, and to elevate spiritual awareness. Read more on essential oils here.

  6. Life’s challenges:

    They have defined who you are. You are stronger because of them. You are where you are right now because of the hurdles you’ve navigated. Choose to view obstacles as an opportunity for growth vs. reliving the past and throwing yourself a pity party. Soul share… When something doesn’t go your way, and it will happen from time to time, see it as an opportunity for growth. Practice Shadow work (unraveling our past fears, pain and resolving deep wounds we are out of touch with).

  7. Anyone who serves you:

    Say thank you to the mailman, garbage collector, plumber, pest control technician, – you get it… Thank anyone who offers their service! Where would you be without their support?  Practice… write a thank you note to your postman, garbage collector.  Soul share… Make this more than a holiday tradition, say thank you throughout the year.

  8. Every new day:

    Every day is a new day where you can start over and be whoever you most deeply wish to be. Each new day brings you an opportunity to live up to your full potential. Practice… Start your day with gratitude. Soul Share…  read my 60 ways to open your heart to a gratitude and thanks below)

  9. Technology:

    I admit to being the first to say we need less time with technology, but, where would your day be without your phone? Could you work without a computer? But is your phone a crutch, are you addicted to scrolling? Practice… Each time you turn on your light switch say thank you for light. When you flip the switch to turn on your heater or air conditioning be grateful you have it. When you start your car and it works say thank you. Unsubscribe to emails vs auto deleting them. Clear your inbox every day. Soul Share… Prioritize your to do list and complete it before you get sucked into social media. Practice a digital detox. Make eye contact at the dinner table instead of perusing instagram.

  10. The arts:

    Music lover, theatre attendee, avid book reader, netflix binger? These artists contribute to our imagination and innovation. Say thank you out loud to these incredible artists who bring us beauty, entertainment and creativity. Practice… find your inner artist. Have you always wanted to sing in a choir, learn how to plan an instrument, or dance? What is holding you back? Soul Share… Creativity can be the food you cook, take a little extra time to beautify your plate. Buy yourself some flowers and spend a few extra minutes arranging them in a beautiful vase.

  11. Say thank you to your soul tribe:

    Who are the people who uplift and bring out the best in you? Practice… Share a simple but heartfelt thank you and recognize their friendship. Soul share… Do you know of anyone in your community who will spend the holidays alone? Invite them over for a cup of tea, or drop off a little something special.

As we get close to the end of 2019 I took a peek at my gratitude journal and found 60 things I often show appreciation for.

“It’s a funny thing about life, once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of things you lack.”

– Germany kent

60 ways I show thanks

  1. My children – there is no better gift than that of being a mum and each day I am so thankful my 3 girls are part of my life
  2. My parents – If I could only just apparte like in Harry Potter then I could see them every single day
  3. Meeting my soulmate and getting to wake up next to him every single day
  4. My Nanna, who without her kindness, strength and generosity I would not be the person I am today
  5. My pup Luna, who no matter the day or time knows exactly when I need a hug
  6. My Barre3 community. Clients and co-workers who truly make each minute I spend in the studio extraordinary
  7. My Rasa Yoga community – acknowledging the divine, and supporting my spiritual journey
  8. My clients – who bring out the best in me
  9. Being able to see – I can see those I love every single day
  10. Being able to hear – I’m blessed to hear the voices of my friends and family near and far, and the healing power of music
  11. I can feel – feeling my daughters and honeys hand in mine, the healing heat from the sun and invigorating sensation of cold
  12. My powerful gift of scent – letting me inhale the exotic scents of flowers and essential oils
  13. Taste – I get to devour delicious food and savor the flavour of all my favourite fruits, veggies and raw chocolate.
  14. My health – the last few years have been a battle and I am now feeling my absolute best
  15. My meditation practice – how 10 minutes a day has completely transformed my mental health
  16. My daughters teacher who gets to spend 6 hours each day educating her, and encouraging her curiosities
  17. My soul sister Jeni who has been in my life for the last 25 years
  18. My heart – keeping me alive and giving me the opportunity to truly feel love
  19. My voice – I can communicate with those I love, and teach epic barre and yoga classes
  20. My lungs – letting me breathe so I can live another day, and how incredible the power of breathe is in healing
  21. My mind – giving me ability to think, find solutions and store memories. I do not take my memories for granted.
  22. My teachers – both past and present for stimulating my curiosity and making me a student of life
  23. My hands – I get to type this on my laptop, hold the hands of my loved ones, pick up a phone and call my mum or sister, carry grocery bags, and walk my pup
  24. My legs – which carry my body, allow me to walk, run and squat 100+ times a day
  25. Challenges – humbles me and reminds me what is most important in life
  26. The country I live in – I have access to anything I could possibly want or need
  27. Sunshine – oh how I love the sun and the feeling of it on my skin
  28. Rain – for feeding and providing nutrients to plants
  29. Snow – for making winter incredibly beautiful and the ability to ski
  30. Happiness – My life is full, and a reminder to drink in as much happiness as I can while releasing fear and resentment
  31. My career – giving me a source of income and an opportunity to be of service to help others
  32. Deep belly laughs – how I love the feeling of a deep core burn with the joy of laughter
  33. Tears – as raw and painful as they can be, tears remind me I can feel and to stay connected
  34. Fear – shows me where I have opportunities to grow
  35. Pain – I can become stronger
  36. Disappointment – I can learn and adjust
  37. My mistakes – to help me improve and become a better person
  38. I am alive – such a gift to wake up each day and live it as I wish
  39. Rainbows – the beauty after a storm, as such is life
  40. Shoes – how I love thee, but truly thankful for supporting my feet and I promise to never wearing 6″ heals again
  41. Books – precious time of stillness and quiet where I can stimulate my brain
  42. My bed – warmth, coziness and a place where I am safe and can fully bliss out
  43. Showers – the heavenly feeling of warm water on my skin
  44. Kindness from strangers – how a simple gesture can transform my day
  45. Sunset – for the gorgeous way to end a day
  46. The stars – magical to stargaze and see the magnitude of our universe, and humbling
  47. The moon – brightening up our night sky
  48. Movies – entertainment, and an opportunity to cuddle with my loved ones
  49. Music – provides endless opportunities for random dance parties
  50. My phone – I can call my besties, family any time I want
  51. Computers – for making my life more efficient
  52. Electricity – it provides the heat I wake up to, the power I can heat water with
  53. Food and water – all the delicious and nutritious recipes I create and get to eat every single day
  54. My car – Allowing me to get from A to Z easily and safely
  55. Momma Nature – the endless beauty she provides
  56. Animals – seeing life in all shapes and sizes
  57. Science – it has saved my daughters life more than once and continues to keep her alive
  58. Love – allowing me to truly feel what it’s like to be alive
  59. The sunrise – an early morning meditation with the sunrise is like no other
  60. Me – I am thankful I am me, just as I am. Even with all the mistakes I’ve made, I am grateful to be me.

Most of what I have shared will apply to you too. It’s easy to feel sad especially if things aren’t going your way, but remember no matter how dire your situation may seem, there are literally tens of thousands of things to be grateful for and to give thanks to.

I’d love to know what you are thankful for.  Share. Pin this post on Pinterest or share it on Facebook. Post on Instagram. (tag me @amandavs, #amandavs, #healthyissexy I can’t wait to hear your thoughts)!

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XO

Amanda