Time to Take Stock (aka, Appreciate What’s Here)

I’ve had an exceedingly productive day thus far.  Technically, I’ve got another couple of hours in which I could work.  And yet, I’m feeling called to shift gears a bit, move out of productive work mode, and move into a slower-paced “taking stock” mode.  This is one of the ways that I allow myself to hang out in the land of appreciation and gratitude.

You see, I know what I’m heading for most of the time.  I’ve got a clear sense of direction and purpose, and a few well-planned goals to head towards.  But what I know for sure is that when I just keep plowing forward, when I don’t take time to savour, appreciate and express gratitude, the fun begins to dwindle — as does the sense of inspiration and motivation.

So, I’m going to dive into the creation of an inventory of sorts, a “things to appreciate in my life right here, right now, on the 5th of August, 2009″ list.  Here goes:

• fabulous summer vacation in california
• memories created with the entire Jacob family together – these can’t be bought
• boogie-boarding in the pacific ocean
• first “Trip to the spa” with my daughter — more to come, you just know it
• had the season’s first corn on the cob last week — yummy and sweet
• my son has reached the double-digits in age — love watching my kids grow
• every one in my family is experiencing milestones this year — neat to reflect on this
• barbeque season is nice and long
• angel food cake grilled on the barbeque with strawberries – yum
• feeling the strength in my body as I run, cycle and do weights
• checkin’ out rides at grandkids day
• summer evenings lounging on the deck with a good book
• sheshe parties — purses, scarves and jewellery, oh my!
• new projects, products, ideas, insights
• restorative yoga sessions
• massage sessions
• short hair
• 14 years of wedded bliss
• best friends’ new babies — so cute!
• wedding fun
• wearing new colours
• telling jokes
• lying on the grass, watching the clouds
• anticipating watching the 6th harry potter movie
• episodes of Being Erica in re-runs — looking forward to next season
• laughing at Two and a Half Men
• watching the garden burst into colour
• watermelon – need I say more?
• cleaning, clearing, fenging and shui-ing

That feels like a lot so far — and I know there’s more. Which is a good thing.  So I’m gonna go and continue to appreciate and stand in gratitude.  So much good stuff in my life.  Gives meaning and purpose to the work that I’m doing.

What will it take for you to take stock?  And what will you discover when you do?

From “Please” to “Thank You”

The message of gratitude is everywhere.  Over the last decade, it’s as though the world has finally awoken to the fact that while there is much to long for, there is just as much (if not more) to be thankful for.   Really, expressing this thanks, standing in the abundance that is here NOW, is a great way to allow whatever it is you’re longing for to show up as well.

In some ways, I’m reminded of some of my interactions with my children.  The big request right now is for a dog (yep, we’ve reached the “Can’t we have a dog?” phase of childhood — actually, my son’s been here for a while, but we’ve managed to keep the idea at bay due to allergies!).  Allergies and such aside, what my husband and I have explained to our twosome, truthfully, is that as parents, we’d like to see our children being appreciative of and responsible for the things they already have, before entrusting them with another pet.  They’ve already got a hamster and a fish.  The children each have responsibilities related to each pet.  Some days these responsibilites are met; other days, those same responsiblities are neglected and if anything, there’s a barrage of sighing and grumbling about the amount of work that needs to be done.  Which provides my husband and I the opportunity to say, “if you can’t be grateful and responsible for what you have, how can we responsibly give you more?”

When it comes right down to it, I’m sure the universe gives us as humans similar responses. I’m certain that, even as we get clear on what we want and start asking for that, there’s a way in which the universe says “but are you appreciative of what you’ve GOT RIGHT NOW?”

Given the limitations of our humand, fairly linear-thinking brains, I believe that there’s a story we’ve got going that says “I ask for something, I get it, then I show gratitude.”.   What I want to entertain is the possibility that the process is more circular.  In other words, we can start with any of the three points.  And I think, starting with gratitude actually serves better.  Being grateful for what’s here right now, keeps you grounded in the present.  Being grateful for what’s here right now shows that you can be resonsible for more.  Being grateful for what’s here right now creates the space for what you’re wanting to show up.

Bottom line:  it isn’t necessarily that you must first ask, then receive, then give thanks.  Instead, it can actually serve to start by giving thanks.  Show your appreciation — truthfully, genuinely, in a heart-felt way.  Then you can ask.  And be grateful again.