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The November Gratitude Practice for When it Feels Challenging to be Grateful

 Give a gratitude practice a try this month.

In the spirit of the month of giving and gratitude, a gratitude practice can bring more clarity to your everyday life.

While we all recognize the benefits of gratitude, Studio 5 Contributor Shima Baughman suggests that there are ways to practice it more effectively. Sometimes, gratitude doesn’t come naturally, and that’s okay. Shima’s exercise aims to help you create gratitude even on days when it seems out of reach.

 

November Gratitude Practice

Shima, drawing from her experience attending a four-day seminar with renowned leadership speaker Tony Robbins, introduces a unique gratitude exercise that combines physical movement, deep breathing, and visualization. By engaging our bodies and minds, this practice creates a powerful fusion of emotions, helping us experience gratitude more profoundly.

The exercise starts with a simple yet impactful motion: standing with arms raised and taking five deep breaths while squatting. This power pose, grounded in scientific research, boosts confidence and energy levels, making it easier to shift our mindset even on challenging days.

With closed eyes, participants are encouraged to recall a specific moment that brought immense joy. By immersing themselves in the sensory details of that moment – the touch, the smell, the sounds – they can recreate the feelings of gratitude and joy in the present. This visualization exercise allows individuals to relive the experience, embracing the emotions and sensations associated with gratitude.

Shima emphasizes that this exercise can be practiced regularly, turning ordinary moments from our everyday lives into sources of gratitude. By cultivating this practice, gratitude becomes a constant companion, bringing fulfillment and joy even on difficult days.

The correlation between gratitude and leadership is also highlighted by Shima. To be a good leader, she suggests, one must love those they are serving. Gratitude helps create love, allowing leaders to appreciate the contributions of others and foster a positive, appreciative environment.

Shima’s gratitude exercise is a powerful tool that anyone can incorporate into their daily routine. It serves as a reminder that gratitude is not just a fleeting emotion but a practice that can be cultivated and enhanced. By embracing this practice, we can experience the joy and fulfillment that gratitude brings, making us better leaders, happier individuals, and more compassionate human beings.

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