Inspiration Friday 2024.11.22

Inspiration: Happy Friday!
Today is the 327th Day of 2024.

We have $327,000.00 today.
10% savings = $32,700.00
40% taxes = $130,800: This week I am expressing gratitude for these tax dollars being spent to support the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Located in the state of Colorado. The Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park was established in 1999. The photographer Ansel Adams increased public awareness of this national treasure through his published images. You will find among other wonders massive black rock formations, narrow canyons, towering cliffs and the Gunnison River to explore.  Learn more here: here.

How will you be spending the remaining $163,500.00 today?

HERE IS MY PLAN: Gratitude Walks

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” –Helen Keller

How are you showing up in the world?

Currently, I find that there are extra stresses coupled with intense changes in navigating living a life I absolutely love. Did you know that our nervous systems don’t work well when stressed? Moreover, researchers tell us that the more stressed one is, the more one will stay stressed.

To interrupt expanding these stress levels, I stop, intentionally take a few deep breaths and then go for a Gratitude Walk. I learned this technique from a grade school student who lived in my old neighborhood. I began to help Alex with her homework over Zoom. I would listen to her read out loud or assist with her school writing assignments. My intention was to give her parents some respite from the additional school responsibilities created by the government’s isolation mandates during the Covid pandemic.  I was grateful to safely connect with others and contribute something meaningful toward the health of our community.  When the students returned to school, I kept doing the zoom reading sessions with several children. One day Alex requested that I go on a gratitude walk with her for homework. I asked her to tell me more about what a gratitude walk entailed. She told me that we would walk around the community and tell each other about the sights, sounds, smells, and ideas that we noticed on this walk together. Then she would write about these things for a school assignment. This appreciation walk was a fascinating experience to share with a grade school student.  I saw the world from a new perspective. Are you feeling the stresses of life increasing? I invite you to consider going on a gratitude walk with someone you know and be open to notice more of life’s gifts hiding in plain sight. Lower your stresses with gratitude practices. I am noticing more things that are working in my life. Gratitude Matters. How are you showing up in the world?

$100.00: Self-care. I am buying extra ingredients from the grocery store. I plan to make some Thanksgiving recipes from my childhood.  And I love that!

0$ Priceless: Gratitude Practice

““Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”  -Wm Arthur Ward

Another way I defuse mounting stressors in my life is by playing the Rampage of Appreciation game.  This gratitude exercise was created by international bestselling author Ester Hicks. This activity helps me to reset my attitude and feel better. To play, you will need paper, a pen and a timer. First you set a timer for 5 or 10 minutes. Next you write as many things as possible that you can think of that you are grateful for in your life. When the timer rings or buzzes you stop writing. Finally, you read the appreciation list out loud. You can play the game solo or with others. It is quick, easy, and effective.   And I love that!  How grateful can you stand it?

Everyone can do something to recalibrate their nervous systems to make better choices in their life. When can you play the Rampage of Gratitude game?

$162,400.00: I am contributing these dollars to support research projects at the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley. Their mission is to study the psychology, sociology, and neuroscience of well-being, and teach skills that foster a thriving, resilient, and compassionate society. Their research findings indicate “that people who practice gratitude consistently report the following benefits: Stronger immune systems and less depression; More joy, optimism, and happiness; Stronger relationships and more generous behavior; Less feelings of loneliness and isolation.” What if gratitude is the key to changing and sustaining better living? Learn more here.

How open are you to living in a better world in 2024? Respond to life with love. Repeat. What would it take?

$1000.00: This week’s date with my husband includes a hike in a local National Forest.  How grateful can you stand it?

Flow Five Friday: Current “real” life expressions of gratitude, love, and contribution to wellbeing.

$5.00: this week’s five dollars were sent to the Greater Good Science Center. The address is University of California, Berkeley MC 6070, Berkeley, CA 94720-6070.

I am choosing to be the energy of what works in life.

Five increments of time: This week I listened to Bethany read from the book Fearless: A Middle Grade Adventure Story by Kristin F. Johnson. The book is about a young girl who rescues a scared dog. I love listening to children read and find themselves in the stories. Being there; how does it get better than that? How are you “Flowing Five” this week?

Well-Being: Something that I am doing or not doing for self-care in real time.

I am adding gratitude walks to my self-imposed challenge to increase the number of Random Acts of Kindness that I do for the entire month of November. And I love that! What are you doing or not doing for self-care?

Planet Awareness: Contributing to the health of Earth.

“The Earth is what we all have in common.” —Wendell Berry

I walk in nature daily and I am having deep Earth conversations with my friends.  What are you doing for the health of our planet?

Hold Space or Contribute to a Friends Life Intention:

This week I am supporting my friend Katie who is currently in the hospital. One of Katie’s living intentions is to be someone who moves her body with ease and flexibility. She wants to improve her overall wellbeing. Imagine the kindest, most generous and delightfully funny person you know. That’s what Katie is like. One way that you can help support Katie’s living intention is to imagine her medical team discovering what is creating her body to fight itself. Or perhaps you can be grateful for your own health today.

Choose joy. Be kind. Love others and strive to be a better human. What would it take?

Choose to feel good. Be Joy. 
Practice gratitude. Amplify Kindness. Expand Generosity. 
Ask, Receive, and Give with More Ease. 
Respond to life with Love.

PS: If you have been playing with me for several years, below are the current daily deposits in other years Vibrational Accounts: