This is genius! We are going to start this tradition immediately. And, I'm going to send this substack to family and friends!
This is a beautifully written essay!
Your piece really, really, really spoke to me, although in a different manner than was the intention of your initial question.
Your suggestion to think about something we want brought me in touch with the contemplative practice of focusing on what you want rather than focusing on crud. Thank you so much for the unexpected reminder.
And, as far as the gratefulness goes, studies show that it actually does rewire the brain to be sincerely grateful and impacts the brain chemistry positively! Many are the times I've altered my mood in a wonderful way by stepping into gratefulness. It doesn't work for me if I'm caught up in negative emotions that I need to feel and let move through me. I can't do a bypass of negative emotions, but once those things have been felt and acknowledged as making sense, I can usually step into gratefulness. It is a marvelous aid.
Thanks for the reminder of the impact of gratitude on brain chemistry and neuroscience- it is amazing the intersection of science and spirituality / well being 🙏🏻
Your ritual of writing down small or large achievements and putting in a jar to read at the end of the year is awesome. How fun to read w/ your children. Feliz Navidad!
We even put in some sad things too - like losing our dog this past year 🥲 For me the shift is that there are so many micro moments of significance that quite honestly we forget - I used to think it was my middle aged brain but even the kids often go “oh wow yeah I forgot we did that”
I love this idea!
I love this tradition. I will start this in the New Year with Don & Ken. Thank you. Merry Christmas 💜
To you as well Charlene
What a brilliant idea, thank you!
This is genius! We are going to start this tradition immediately. And, I'm going to send this substack to family and friends!
This is a beautifully written essay!
Your piece really, really, really spoke to me, although in a different manner than was the intention of your initial question.
Your suggestion to think about something we want brought me in touch with the contemplative practice of focusing on what you want rather than focusing on crud. Thank you so much for the unexpected reminder.
And, as far as the gratefulness goes, studies show that it actually does rewire the brain to be sincerely grateful and impacts the brain chemistry positively! Many are the times I've altered my mood in a wonderful way by stepping into gratefulness. It doesn't work for me if I'm caught up in negative emotions that I need to feel and let move through me. I can't do a bypass of negative emotions, but once those things have been felt and acknowledged as making sense, I can usually step into gratefulness. It is a marvelous aid.
Thanks for the reminder of the impact of gratitude on brain chemistry and neuroscience- it is amazing the intersection of science and spirituality / well being 🙏🏻
Your ritual of writing down small or large achievements and putting in a jar to read at the end of the year is awesome. How fun to read w/ your children. Feliz Navidad!
We even put in some sad things too - like losing our dog this past year 🥲 For me the shift is that there are so many micro moments of significance that quite honestly we forget - I used to think it was my middle aged brain but even the kids often go “oh wow yeah I forgot we did that”
It’s really a neat way to celebrate those moments again, locking it in more. And I guess it’s kind of like gratitude too, in some way. Nice.