Making Life Changes With Gratitude

There are a variety of excellent self-help books on the market. We read them, we feel good, we want what they have to offer, but we still have a difficult time making the necessary life changes. Life changes are not easy. The good news is that gratitude teaches us how to make those changes, with ease! Gratitude is easy to understand and even more simple to put into practice as part of our daily lives. Everyone responds to a gracious and positive attitude. The energy around this is almost magical in the effect it has on our lives and the lives of those surrounding us. With gratitude, we can create our own magical lives!

In my experience I have learned that for my clients to be successful in achieving healthy lifestyle changes a detailed plan of action often needs to be laid out for them. If I gently tell a client they need to perform certain exercises to improve their health or seriously lose weight, they frequently return to my office without initiating any of the suggested changes or plans of action.

However, if I give them informative brochures, educational reading material, explain things in more detail, book them with a fitness trainer, nutritionist, naturopath, or whatever professional referral necessary; and then send them on their way, they are far more likely to enthusiastically make the effort to improve and change their lifestyle. Yes, they still have to take action but if a map is laid out, if they understand the importance of what's being explained, and if the tools are provided, there is a better chance of achieving a successful outcome.

I apply the same formula of success in helping people discover the empowerment of gratitude, specifically by helping them re-introduce gratitude into their lives in fun and effective ways. In my opinion, there is no better place to start when contemplating a life change. I begin by using "games of gratitude" and "tools of gratitude". Tools of gratitude were created because I just didn't want to talk about gratitude, I wanted to design methods and tools which people could use to assist them in understanding the importance and value of gratitude. I wanted people to immediately utilize and reap the benefits of its empowerment. I have found that when my clients understand the value of preventative medicine, their overall health improves dramatically. It is no different with gratitude and the positive effect it can have on one's attitude.

Tools of gratitude utilize various tools and methods to pique your interest, modify your enjoyment and keep you motivated to learn more. They are by no means the only way to achieve the goal of discovering the empowerment of gratitude and making it a part of your life. But, I have found the games and tools to be an incredibly effective and fun way to achieve this goal. The games and tools of gratitude revolve around our reflections and observation of things for which we can be grateful and to make ourselves aware of the good things we like about ourselves.

For example, there are Gratitude Stone collections. Gratitude Stones are striking glass stones that have specific prompts relating to gratitude (and the positive attitude it promotes) beautifully etched on their surface. The collection includes several variations of these sophisticated stones such as gratitude stones, stones of self-worth and stones of positive affirmation. The idea is to select a stone with a positive message or sentiment that is important to you, and then to carry that stone with you at all times. This serves as a reminder of the sentiment or attitude you wish to work on.

Another tool I use is called the Gratitude Stick. The Gratitude Stick is a unique motivational tool developed to help incorporate an attitude of gratitude into our lives. Its physical design and its use bear its origin from the native "Talking Stick" in which the person holding the stick is the only one to speak while all others listen. In this way each person is encouraged to take a moment, reflect and express aloud sentiments of gratitude and self-belief. It is a surprisingly effective way to instill values of gratitude in one's self when voicing these values out loud.

I also use Gratitude Cue Cards, which are designed to inspire and assist those who are unsure of what to express, especially those who are shy, hesitant, or even uncomfortable to perform the exercise. Most importantly, the cue cards add to the fun of performing a daily tradition of gratitude! The cards assist in building an appreciation of gratitude and self-worth by posing questions on the front of the cards and possible responses on the reverse, making the exercise far easier and fun to perform.

The tools, along with how to play games of gratitude, will be fully explained in a future article. For now, I simply wish to give you an idea of how to incorporate a life change formula of success using the tools and games I have developed as an example. So what's holding you back? Can you think of other ways to incorporate gratitude and a positive attitude into your life? I say, go ahead... begin by using to the power of gratitude to make your life changes today!

Gratitude stones (Rocks), gratitude games and gratitude sticks  are just some of the tools that I use to  to help my clients, focus our thoughts, feelings and energy on to all the positive aspects of their lives. My goal is to help you develop a more positive attitude; an attitude that promotes a unique sense of self awareness, self belief, self esteem, self empowerment and of course, self confidence. 

Thank you & blessings!