start monday with gratitude

Let’s spend some time outdoors.

You can go to a meadow, you can go to a forest or woodland.

If you’re in a town or city, you can visit a florist.

When you reach your destination, I invite you to get close to a flower, whether you sit or stand it doesn’t matter, and, without picking or touching it, admire everything about that flower.

Admire the colour of its petals, admire how the petals meet together to form the shape of the flower, admire the centre of the flower, and if you see any perceived ‘imperfections’ in the flower, admire their perfect imperfection, admire its scent.

Really spend some time looking at this flower and really appreciating its beauty.

And then give thanks to this flower for bringing such beauty into your life.

Sit quietly outside for about 5 or 10 minutes and just observe everything around you connected to nature. Even if you’re in the busiest of cities, nature will be crossing your path.

Listen to the birds singing, the bees humming, watch the leaves on the trees as they dance in the wind and listen to their rustling. What about the pattern on the bark of a tree trunk or width and strength of the trunk?

If you’re in the countryside, breathe in the scent of fresh air. And if you’re in the city, thank the trees for the oxygen they so generously emit.

Are there flowers nearby?

Spend 5 or 10 minutes absorbing the beauty of nature and appreciating the enjoyment you gain from being part of nature.

What’s the weather like today?

Is it sunny and warm? Is it rainy and wet? Is it windy?

Head outside, dressed appropriately, for 5 or 10 minutes experiencing the weather. This is particularly good if you don’t usually enjoy the type of weather today, for example, if it’s raining.

While you’re outside, find everything positive about the weather you’re experiencing.

Does the sun make you feel cosy? Does the rain refresh you? As you stand up against the wind, do you feel strong?

Spend your time experiencing, enjoying, listing and giving thanks for all the positive effects today’s weather has on you.

Go outside and find yourself a stone or a pebble. Nothing too big or heavy, nothing too bulky. Try to find one that you find attractive, that feels nice to the touch, smooth without any sharp edges.

Spend some time seeking out your stone or pebble and, in the process, look carefully at all the other stones and pebbles nearby.

How different are they all? How do they differ in shape, size, smoothness?

When you’ve chosen you stone or pebble, take it home and wash off any mud or soil that’s stuck to it.

Now you can decide if your stone or pebble is perfect as it is or whether you wish to decorate it a little, perhaps using some paint.

Maybe add a symbol on it, a few words… whatever feels right.

Today (and every day) I invite you to carry your pebble or stone around with you. Carry it in your pocket, in your purse, wallet or bag.

When you’re sitting down somewhere, bring it out and set it beside you.

Every time you see or touch your pebble or stone, I invite you to express gratitude for something in your life.

Your pebble/stone is just a simple reminder, a simple memory jolt, to remind you to keep practising gratitude throughout your day.

For today’s exercise you will need the following:

• a vase or tall jar,
• pebbles,
• a small tree branch or a couple of twigs (something that has already fallen from a tree – please don’t go cutting parts off a tree),
• ribbon or string,
• coloured paper,
• pen

Place the pebbles into the vase or tall jar.

Insert the small branch or twigs in between the pebbles so it’s held upright.

Cut your paper into the shape of leaves and create a hole at the top of each leaf, where you can insert a piece of string or ribbon that can be used to tie the leaf onto the branch.

Grow your gratitude tree by writing something you are grateful for on each of the paper leaves before tying them onto your tree.

Where have you brought nature into your home? Do you have flowers, plants, or pets, perhaps? Spend some time today expressing your gratitude for each and every one of them.

You can take this even further, if you wish.

Where there is wood in your home, that wood was given by a tree. Give gratitude for that.

What about any fruit and veg that’s in a bowl or in your fridge, waiting for you to enjoy? Give gratitude for that.

Walk round your home and give thanks for anything natural that makes your life better.