by Jackie Foskett, CH

Perhaps the best—and most effective—way to begin the new year is with a healthy dose of gratitude. Why? According to Bonnie McFarland, a Seattle-based Clarity Coach and owner of La Bella Via, what we focus on expands. Focusing on the things we’re unhappy with, for example, reaps dissatisfaction. On the other hand, turning our attention toward that which fulfills us, brings us joy, and inspires creativity will invite happiness to take root and blossom in our lives.

In her recent newsletter, Bonnie writes that psychologists, spiritual teachers, writers, and researchers say that gratitude can:

• Increase your energy and optimism
• Shift your focus to what has gone well or delighted you
• Help you not take things for granted
• Make you more resilient to life's hassles and stress
• Encourage your satisfaction with life
• Increase your compassion
• Enrich your experience of life
• Increase your happiness and well being
• Improve your health

by Jackie Foskett, CH

How do you incorporate gratitude into YOUR life? Bonnie McFarland recommends a daily gratitude practice and I do, too. I encourage many of my clients to use a daily focus on gratitude to shift their thoughts from what is not working to what is. The result? Immediate access to positive feelings and acceleration in desired changes. Here are some ways to start a daily gratitude practice:

• Start with a gratitude list

Bonnie suggests taking 5-30 minutes to write down anything and everything that you are grateful for. Notice how your feelings become more positive as you continue writing and appreciating all that is good in your life. You might notice you feel lighter, more serene, more joyful.


• Journal your gratitude daily

Now that you’ve compiled your initial gratitude list, take time each day to focus on what you are thankful for. In the morning or evening, sit for a few minutes and write down everything that has brought you joy. “Big” things such as a house, your job, your children are great, but don’t forget the small, everyday wonders: the delicious lunch you ate, your fabulous new toothbrush, etc... You get the picture.

by Jackie Foskett, CH

Instead of shaping a brighter 2007 by listing goals and to-dos, try an infinitely more effective technique—using the power of your imagination to engage your right brain’s creativity. Business and Leadership Consultant Rita Hovakimian, owner of the San Francisco-based Inspiring Success, engages the right brain to spark life changes (a hypnotherapy technique) in her annual Design Work workshop.

Imagine how you want your life to be in various aspects of your life:
Imagine feeling vibrant and healthy, free of excess weight and enjoying renewed energy. Imagine choosing foods that nourish you, keep you satisfied, and allow freedom in your relationship with eating. Imagine moving your body in ways that keep it feeling good and energized, while naturally burning extra calories. Imagine how good it feels to be in your healthy and vital body.

Notice that this exercise invites you to image what you want (not what you don’t want). In doing so, you mirror the Universal Law of Attraction: as our thoughts are energy and what we focus on expands (as in gratitude), you therefore create or draw to you what you need to fulfill your vision.

Keep this powerful exercise in mind throughout 2007, using it to enhance all areas of your life, such as:

Career or job
Primary relationship
Relationships with family
Relationships with friends
Spirituality
Play time/vacation time
Personal growth
Contribution to the world

"Gratitude is the memory of the heart."
--French Proverb