A time for Gratitude and Intentions
As the holiday time approaches, for some it can become overwhelming. In recent years I’ve found a practise that has become an annual event for me. It’s all about Gratitude and Intentions for the coming year.
Posted in Self development
Gratitude isn’t a new idea; most spiritual practices and philosophies emphasise gratitude and compassion for others. But in recent years gratitude has shifted from being an idea to a concrete tool that people can use to become happier and healthier.
Greg Krech from 'Gratitude, Grace and the Japanese Art of Self-Reflection' calls this state of appreciation “grace,” a term used in many religions. However, grace as a practice is not a belief as much as a shift in thinking. Or as Krech puts it: “It’s the difference between seeing life as an entitlement and seeing it as a gift.” And “To live a life of gratitude is to open our eyes to the countless ways in which we are supported by the world around us.”
However it is practiced, gratitude isn’t a blindly optimistic approach in which the bad things in life are whitewashed or ignored. It’s more a matter of where we put our focus and attention. Yes, pain and injustice and cruelty exist in this world. Politics is increasingly divided. The difference in the well-off and the poorest appears to be growing. But when we focus on the gifts of life, we can gain a feeling of well-being.
Throughout the year I keep a Gratitude Jar. In there I write down those moments that I’m so grateful for – big or small. There are some days or weeks when I might not but then something always reminds me. The jar sits on my windowsill in my office with little squares of paper so I can easily jot down my gratitude and pop it in the jar.
However it is practiced, gratitude isn’t a blindly optimistic approach in which the bad things in life are whitewashed or ignored. It’s more a matter of where we put our focus and attention. Yes, pain and injustice and cruelty exist in this world. Politics is increasingly divided. The difference in the well-off and the poorest appears to be growing. But when we focus on the gifts of life, we can gain a feeling of well-being.
Throughout the year I keep a Gratitude Jar. In there I write down those moments that I’m so grateful for – big or small. There are some days or weeks when I might not but then something always reminds me. The jar sits on my windowsill in my office with little squares of paper so I can easily jot down my gratitude and pop it in the jar.
Between Christmas and New Year I sit by the fire and open my jar for the year just coming to an end. It’s so wonderful to remember the people, events or memories that I was grateful for throughout the year. It’s something that I so look forward to as I’ve generally forgotten what I put in my jar. A very nourishing exercise.
In the last couple of years I’ve also had a ‘wishes’ jar (or as I am now going to call it for 2019 – my Intentions Jar). After I’ve cleared my gratitude jar, I open this jar. This one was created a year ago and rarely is anything added to the jar– although sometimes in January I may think of a couple more to add in. It’s left on my windowsill. Again, its a wonderful surprise to see what my ‘wishes’ or Intentions were for the coming year. Also whether they happened! In the past, a few wishes have gone back again into the jar, a wish or intention for the coming year.
In the last couple of years I’ve also had a ‘wishes’ jar (or as I am now going to call it for 2019 – my Intentions Jar). After I’ve cleared my gratitude jar, I open this jar. This one was created a year ago and rarely is anything added to the jar– although sometimes in January I may think of a couple more to add in. It’s left on my windowsill. Again, its a wonderful surprise to see what my ‘wishes’ or Intentions were for the coming year. Also whether they happened! In the past, a few wishes have gone back again into the jar, a wish or intention for the coming year.
I’ve realised that intentions are much more powerful than ‘wishes’. For me, wishes now seem too ‘light’ as if I don’t really believe they can come true. After seeing Lynne McTaggart (author of ‘The Field’ and ‘The Power of Eight’ or catch her on an online Youtube) speak in the last few months and reading much more about the power of intention, I feel intention is much more powerful. As Lynn, an investigative journalist writes in ‘The Power of Eight’ - ‘how do you prove something that defies every law that you’ve been taught? What if your entire premise is outside the bounds of what is known or observable? What if you were trying to locate the mathematical equation for a miracle?’ The Power of Intention.
Whether you ‘hold’ the jars metaphorically ‘lightly’ or for fun. It’s a wonderful exercise for this time of year and the forthcoming year. I encourage you to create gratitude and Wish/Intentions jars.
May you be clear on your intentions for 2019 and grateful for what transpires.
Seasons Greetings!
Whether you ‘hold’ the jars metaphorically ‘lightly’ or for fun. It’s a wonderful exercise for this time of year and the forthcoming year. I encourage you to create gratitude and Wish/Intentions jars.
May you be clear on your intentions for 2019 and grateful for what transpires.
Seasons Greetings!
Please feel free to share this blog if it’s been a useful read.
Have a great month ahead and please feel free to contact me.
Events
Next year’s Body, Mind, Soul Spring Weekend Retreat is Friday May 17th – May 19th 2019.
Places are being booked! To learn more or to book your place contact me at Claire@cpcoaching.co.uk.
Sample feedback from 2018 retreat attendees:
‘A unique experience, spiritual and restorative retreat supporting the body, soul & mind’ – Nicola, May 2018
‘I gained so many things, space to think, breather etc. Reconnect to me. Development of intentions, connection to others. Thank you’ - E. Williams June 2017
'I enjoyed the extroardinary environment and wonderful women. The space, time and opportunity. The peace and tranquillity. The fun’ - July 2017 participant
'You won't believe how well the magic has lingered! I have been kayaking, swimming and singing and that's only the start! Thank you again - feel alive again.' - KH. July 2017
Join my Facebook group 'Be More - Play Bigger' for discussion and support.
Claire Palmer is a highly experienced and accredited executive and career coach, coach supervisor and mentor, and the founder of Claire Palmer Coaching. For over 18 years she has been coaching clients through transformational change whether personal or professionally. She works in the UK and internationally, both face to face and over the phone. She is a Master Certified Coach with the International Coach Federation (ICF).
About Claire
Claire is a highly experienced and accredited executive coach and career coach, passionate about helping people with their career, work, life – and being as fulfilled and successful as possible.
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