Gratitude.
I had a birthday yesterday, and although it was not a big birthday (meaning it didn’t in a 0 or a 5), it was significant. I took the opportunity to reflect back on the past six months, and one thing that kept coming back was this: I had deterred from my path, leaving me on survival mode.
Living on survival mode causes me anxiety. Anxiety causes me to focus on the negative. Correction: anxiety causes me to create negative situations in my mind, and it causes me to focus on that narrative. Because, really? Nothing is negative or positive; it’s just how we color it based on our experiences and mindsets.
For the past few months, one of the ways I attempted to combat anxiety was to make a gratitude list. It works…if I do it, but it has to be consistent. I find that being disciplined is an area that needs closer attention.
I write five things I am grateful for in a journal. I write after I shower so that creates a routine, and I have a small percent of forgetting to do it. The five things range from substantial (the gift of breath, my parents) to minor (no traffic).
This practice helps me put things in perspective. I have everything I need; everything else is just luxury. Also, this practice lends itself to refocusing on my purpose, which is to be of service.