In my life over the past several years I have really tried to work on myself. I still have issues with hiding the truth (especially in relation to money) and it is just constant daily hard work to bring myself to stay truthful in that regard. What is interesting is that that is the only arena left where I cannot seem to bring myself to transparency, even though that lack of transparency causes and has always caused the greatest stress in my marriage.
Part of my process here in regards to my internal work has been to be grateful. Every day no matter how crappy things may go I try to remember what I am grateful for, even if I can't come up with anything more than having a roof over my head, friends, and a great dog.
So when I opened my email this morning in the midst of what is now the third day of not speaking with my husband (to put it in John Gray's words he is "in his cave") and saw that my Conversations with God Weekly Bulletin was entitled "Gratitude Is the Attitude" I was intrigued. Neale's 10 step daily gratitude plan is brilliant! I quote,
"This is my five step formula for opening each day:
1. Gratitude
2. Song
3. Smile
4. Sacred Nourishment
5. Forgiveness
Not necessarily in that order. But touch all five if you can. If you do, I dare you to walk out of the bedroom in a dark space or a bad mood or in a grumpy state of mind. Dare you, dare you, double dare you! You can't! You won't! It's impossible!
Now I want you to do two more things and your relationship with your Significant Other will become once again the territory for bliss and growth and love abounding that it was at the beginning and was meant to be always.
1. Think of your Beloved Other, whoever is closest to you right now, and prepare a present for that person in your heart and mind, offering it to him or her before the day is out. One every day.
2. Close each day with a recital to your Beloved: "What I am grateful to you for this day...", and offer a verbal list of those items, describing each in detail.
Now I want you to do three final things each day and your whole life will change, not just your morning or your relationship.
1. Move through your day knowing that you walk with God and that God walks with you, and that another human being is going to be coming to you this day for whom you will have a gift in your hands. You do not know what that gift is right now, but it doesn't matter. You will know when God brings that person to you.
2. Do something courageous and outrageous in the next 12 hours, and do one courageous/outrageous thing every day. Then reach out and get whatever life has to offer this day. Take it with gusto, for it is your gift from life!
3. Be good to yourself this evening. Give yourself some small treat, whatever it may be, and pamper yourself in this way, saying "thanks" to you and to God for the wonderful experience of living fully this day.
This is my Ten Step Method for Achieving Daily Happiness. I don't worry about setting long range goals or meeting daily objectives or driving projects forward and using my time wisely or any of those things we hear about from motivational speakers and success trainers. I just use Gratitude, Giving, Getting, and God - the Four G's - as my pathway to fulfillment and joy, and they take me there every time."
