Three Rounds of Gratitude – An Activity Program
What you focus on expands, and when you focus on the goodness in your life, you create more of it….I learned to be grateful no matter what happened in my life. Oprah Winfrey
The following practice is adapted from the book The Magic (2012) written by Rhonda Byrne. This is a positive affirming program that you can do as a stand-alone program, or something you can add at the end of an already existing program. It is also an excellent practice to do when you are visiting with someone one-to-one.
Each person present (including you) takes a turn at finding three things to be grateful for and why you are grateful for that. At the end of each turn of sharing, say thank you three times.The reason we say it three times is that the first time, the gratitude seems to stay at an intellectual level, the second time it moves more into the real work, the physical realm, and the third time it moves right into the heart. If you are able to say thank you three times slowly, the benefits will increase.
Ideas for areas of gratitude are listed at the end if you need ideas. If possible, write the three answers of the person being visited on a large sticky note to be left with them.
1) Gratitude for what you have received in the past
“I am so grateful for ___________ , because _________________.”
2) Gratitude for what you have now
“I am so grateful for ___________ , because _________________.”
3) Gratitude for everything that you would like to have in your life (as though it is already present and here now-it will attract this to you)
“I am so grateful for ___________ , because _________________.”
Thank you, …. thank you, …. thank you.
LIST OF IDEAS
Your family – Having a place to sleep
Your friends – Having enough to eat
Water to drink – Air to breathe
The trees – The animals
The birds – The flowers
The plants – Blue skies
The rain – The stars
The moon – The planets
Your health – Work and success
Money – My relationships
Passions – Happiness
Love – Life
Nature – Planet earth
The rivers – Material goods
The water – The sun
If you practice gratitude a lot every day, your life will change dramatically and in way that you can hardly imagine. In fact, whatever it is you want to be, do or have, gratitude is the way to receive it. Gratitude is something you must have before you can receive, not something that you simply do after something good has happened. Rhonda Byrne, Writer
When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love. Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor