To begin appreciating life, pinpoint some things you are extremely grateful for and count them every morning for one month - e.g. your eyes, your hands, your children, your cat.
Set a time each day to contemplate these pleasures. Feel gratitude for them. This exercise can change the mood of even the most miserable amongst us.
For instance, the next time you visit your aunt (the one who loves to complain), tell her very respectfully:
"Auntie, I came here to suffer with you today. But before we suffer, it's only fair that you also share with me five pleasures that you had today."
"I had no pleasures."
"Auntie, did you have coffee for breakfast?"
"Yes."
Don't let her off the hook with this perfunctory answer. Make her share the pleasure. "Was it sweet? Warm? Did the aroma linger? Did it give you energy?" (She'll comply because she wants her turn to complain...)
"Okay, it was sweet. And nice."
"Great Auntie! Now four more!"
"I didn't have any more."
"Did you wash your face? Was it pleasant? Warm? Refreshing?"
Relive it with her. Then another one. After she describes five pleasures, her complaints won't be nearly as bad.
To really work at this, sit down with your spouse (or roommate) every evening and discuss one pleasure that each of you had that day. At the very least, you'll have a happier spouse or roommate!
Incorporate this into your family routine so your children also learn to appreciate their daily pleasures.
1 comments:
Nice post! Thanks for posting this! The date it was posted was birthday!
Advance happpy birthday to you!
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