Gratitude Writing
If you've already purchased one of our Well Being boxes then you'll find that inside there is some beautiful paper and a matching envelope. But, why?
Well, the art of Gratitude is something that seems so simple and yet has become a practice that few individuals delve into fully. I don't mean remembering to say your please and thank yous, but being grateful. REALLY grateful. The Western world has seemingly forgotten how to give thanks. Gone are the days where we leave offerings because gone are the days of belief. So many people now have adopted a purely atheist way of being and they have made the mistake off thinking that the lack of belief in a god or gods, is somehow related to the belief in nature or spirituality. An offering doesn't need to be made to Zeus but perhaps to the trees the next time you take apples from them.. To the blackberry bushes when you next fill your Tupperware for that tasty crumble. An offering could be pulling away some of the Ivy choking the young trees, taking litter home or pouring water on the parched ground of the plants during the summer. Will it appease the tree spirits? Perhaps. It depends on what you believe.. but will it remind you that the earth isn't there soley for you to take from without thanks? Yes.
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The paper you find in your hand is a tool with which you can start the process of gratitude.. and why is this important I hear you ask? Well, by practicing gratitude daily (maybe by means of a quick journal entry, a few lines on a post it note etc), you are making a profound and dynamic change to your behavioural patterns. You're quite literally reprogramming your brain. Now when the days can be tough or things go wrong (which invariably they will), instead of letting it ruin a good day, you will automatically start to focus on the good stuff. Maybe the kettle broke or you had an unexpected bill, but with daily gratitude rituals, you'll remember more of the good things - however small.. finding your favourite pen, remembering you had that bar of chocolate in the cupboard or even just a favourite programme coming on. Your brain will actively seek out the positives.
So does gratitude change your life? Absolutely!
How to use your paper set:
1. Find a quiet space and set aside some time for yourself with no distractions.
2. Make yourself a herbal tea. Try to steer clear of caffeine for clarity.
3. Clear your space. Ideally, burn some Palo Santo, incense or sage, use a rattle or even just clap your hands a little for an easy sound clearing. It'll displace the stagnant energy and leave you feeling refreshed.
4. Using your paper, write in paragraph form all of the things that you are grateful for. Now it's easier said than done. Be as specific as you can be. Granted, you may be grateful for your best friend, but writing that isn't going to be half as affective as writing something like 'I am so grateful for Gloria and her ability to always know just when to pop over with a packet of biscuits & heartfelt conversation'. Really consider what it is that you're truly grateful for. The sound of the seagulls perhaps? Means that you live close to the sea, the bird feeder in your garden allows you to keep track of wildlife.. and so on.
When you've written enough, fold your paper and pop it in the envelope. Keep it somewhere safe and out of sight. This is a private letter from you to the universe. Now on the days where you're struggling or feeling grey, you can reach for your letter and remind yourself of how beautiful life really is.
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Let us be the first to say THANK YOU for the support you give us. Have the most wonderful day, you deserve it.
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Rhiannon & Darren x
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