Hidden Power

Gratitude and Appreciation

Gratitude is the most powerful of all tools. Gratitude is recognition for what we have - it is readiness to show appreciation for something or someone. The practice of gratitude is a great key to abundance. When we practice gratitude we feel more joyful and more alive. We express more kindness and compassion to others and we take better care of ourselves and our surroundings.

I have been practising gratitude for a while and I surely notice the difference. I became a more positive person, more focused and with eager to live a happier life. I began to see life in a colourful way and to enjoy each moment more profoundly.

The first time I read about the power of gratitude was on a book called, 'A Little Light On the Spiritual Laws', by Diana Cooper. Lovely book! As I read about it I understood why I was so happy as a child. I enjoyed each moment and looked at things with glowing eyes, admiring all that I saw.  Then I knew the real meaning of gratitude.

If you want your life to become happier, healthier and more abundant, concentrate on what you have and you will end up having more. Keep a gratitude journal, where you can daily write down what you're grateful for. Write  everyday ten things you're grateful for and why. For example: "I am grateful for the abundant water that I have easy access to, because I have enough to drink when i'm thirsty, I can bathe, clean, wash and water the plants. I am grateful for my eyes because I can see and that makes me free to go where I want to go, to read the books that I love and to choose what I want to eat from a menu."

It is not selfish to be thankful for what we have, it is simply recognising that we appreciate what we own and are grateful for it. Some people might not have what you have but they may have what you don't. So be grateful for everything, it might seem small to you but would be beneficial to someone else. 

Gratitude unlocks the great resources of the Universe. When we learn the art of living gratefully  we become more alive and receptive to the goodness that comes in our life. I normally insist in writing ten things that I am grateful for every single day, but often I add to my list as I notice more things that I appreciate. When you start practising gratitude and appreciation you will notice that you will become more joyful and your feelings will change as you shift your energy level with that powerful tool.  It immediately makes life meaningful. 

In time you will see things working for you. Things will flow to you easily, because that is how the Universal Law of Attraction works. You will be attracting things to you as never before, because the Universe knows that you are going to be grateful for them so it will be happy to provide you with more of what you are grateful for. 

The practice of gratitude also helps us sort out difficult situations with a more positive attitude, because when we are grateful we know that all things will work out for our own good and we always will expect the best results. 

Appreciation also reduces our stress and improves our health. Being grateful for people: strengthens relationships - therefore, no more arguments and gossips. Gratitude will empower you and bring happiness into your life. It will wash away the tears of sadness, fear and hopefulness, and bring you to the path of fulfilment and joy. Gratitude turns what we have into enough. Count your blessings and watch them multiply.

Hidden Power

Understand Yourself

I learned to look at myself with kindness. I realised that being auto-critical made me bitter and meant I disliked myself. After realising that it was okay to fail and that I did not have to be perfect, my way of seeing myself changed. I stopped punishing myself for making mistakes, and instead I learnt that mistakes were lessons to improve myself. 

Learning to understand yourself is the first step to self-healing - healing from loneliness, sadness, confusion, anxiety, insecurities, and self-hatred.

Understanding your feelings, your emotions - why you act and re-act in certain ways - what changes your moods, and why you feel lost and confused sometimes. 

First of all, understand that you are a human being like everyone else. You are not different from anyone, there is nothing wrong with you, you just need a different mind-set to take you to a whole new "internal" level, where you will find comfort, love, grace and internal peace. Be your best friend. Be kind to to yourself, look deep within and know that there is a "real you." Take this moment to make changes, changes that will lead you to a more meaningful life. Take the necessary steps to be the best version of you, but do it with kindness, understanding that you are in an ongoing process.  We have endless chances to improve ourselves, and it is okay to fail again and again until we learn. Like a small child learning to walk.

All steps will lead you somewhere, and it is no different from the steps to a happier you. You need commitment: take yourself serious, decide to change, to overcome, to succeed! Decide to feel good no matter what, always reminding yourself that it is okay, you will do better next time. Focus primarily in feeling good, because  feeling Good feels Good! Be your best friend and understand yourself.

Hidden Power 2

Reflection

     "We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts, we make our world."

                                                                                                                                          Buddha.

I like to take time to reflect in life, on my actions and words. The only way I can change and evolve is by reflecting on my behaviour and attitudes. Sometimes the society and people that go through our life have a negative way of being, of acting and are harsh and cruel with words without thinking or caring how much they can hurt us. And for years, I was surrounded by very negative and harsh people that put me down in so many ways. With constant negativity, I lost my grace and sweetness that I once had. I realised I had become unhappy and bitter. I wasn't happy with myself because that wasn't the person I really am. I wanted to become graceful and happy again, I wanted to enjoy life like I used to. 

I tried to act gracefully but my heart was cold, and I realised that my behaviour had turned into a habit, and you can't get rid of habits just by a decision - it requires time and practice, and most of all a lot of reflection.

I began working on myself and admitting in what I needed to change. I was humble enough to admit my failures and to know that my actions and reactions were unconscious, and were the result of much suffering and of holding it in. So, I took it easy on myself, and every time I failed I would immediately realise it. I would forgive myself first, admit that I am a human being in the process of transformation, and then remind myself to next time do better. 

When a person, for some reason would upset me, there were moments that I felt so angry at their attitude that at the time I refused to forgive. At that moment it felt right to feel this way but when I held the grudge for long I would realise that I was harming myself and stopping me from enjoying the precious moments in life. I would reflect on my attitude and decide to give them the right to fail as human beings too. When I noticed that some people would be intentionally and continuously cruel I would forgive them, to myself, and decide to move them away from my life.

I kept reflecting and affirming that I am kind, I am gentle, I am graceful, I am friendly. I knew I could be better than I was. I knew that I was born to love and live in harmony with myself and everyone. I wanted to be in peace and smile more. Slowly I started feeling compassion and appreciation for the good things in life. I still have habits that I want to overcome, but I can tell you that I am wayyyy closer to my goal than I was before! 

Buddha's quote is just right: "We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts, we make our world." I make my world, I build myself up and I create my life!