Month: November 2023

Life can feel like a litany of lessons learned. I
bet I could fill a library with my lessons.

A lot of what I’ve had to learn came wrapped in
suffering, fear, uncertainty. I resisted hearing the messages because of the
hurt and sadness that accompanied those lessons.

Sure, I’m old enough to have acquired some coping
mechanisms. Things like perseverance and patience. Optimism and faith. By this
point in time, we’re all pretty good at managing the tough stuff.

Regardless, I’ll still put up a fight with some of
that “necessary learning.” Shake my fist in the air when another unforeseen
event brings one more unplanned thing I apparently need to know.

Arguing With “What Is” Feels
Self-Defeating

Returning to peace when life hands you chaos can be
challenging.

I want to be grateful for the little gems of wisdom
I’ve gathered along the way. And, more importantly, I’d also like to soothe my
heart with a balm of gratitude for the hard things I’ve had to learn.

A Simple Activity Takes the Sting Out
of Being a Student

Practicing a simple activity is both a glaringly
obvious and extremely helpful idea. Here’s how it goes:

Close your eyes and take several deep
breaths.

Quietly list all the things you know for
sure.

Allow yourself to lean into each lesson
you know you’ve learned.

Embrace what you’ve come to realize. Notice
how you feel.

What You Discover Might Amaze You

Here are a few things I know for sure:

• Stillness
  is a sacred place.
• A good laugh lightens any weighty problem.
• Setting
  compassionate boundaries is a necessary form of self-care.
• Real
  friends will challenge you but never abandon you.
• Rest is
  not a luxury. It’s a requirement.
• Heartfelt connections
  nourish the soul.
• Courage
  is something I’ve earned by walking through the fire as it rages.
• Death
  takes many forms. Some of them hurt us almost as much as the physical kind.
• No event
  defines us. With any luck, we eventually realize they all happen for our
  highest good.
• Some
  things just break. Hearts, lives, worlds. And sometimes all we can do is cry as
  we wait for the healing that will follow.
• We can’t
  control anything except our own reactions. And that’s a relief.
• My body
  is a trusted messenger, longing to be heard. I’m listening.
• Becoming
  a wise woman doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten how to play. My Inner Self gets
  younger every day.
• And Thank you may truly be the only prayer we
  need to say.

When I sink into these lessons, my lessons, I’m comforted, surprised, and enlightened. All in the
same breath.

I’m indebted to life for the opportunities it’s always
giving me to grow, to learn… however difficult the messages are to receive.

And finding a way to that gratitude might be the most
valuable lesson of all.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What lessons are you grateful for no
matter how difficult they were to learn? Do you identify with any of mine? Let’s
have a conversation!

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Photo +ID: @TracyTutor

Originally posted at: Tracy Tutor’s Crop Top & Skirt Set with Blazer

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Shop Lauren’s Saks Gift Picks Here via Shop LTK

Originally posted at: Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Inspired Holiday Gift Guide 

When was the last time you genuinely expressed love and gratitude for the people and experiences in your life that have shaped you into who you are today?

It is not always easy to take time out to express what you are truly grateful for, especially during the holiday season, when you have an endless to-do-list. But it is during this time of year that offering gratitude can help make holidays even more special.

In this article, and the accompanying video, we are going to look at the benefits of gratitude for those of us who are 60 and over. I will also share seven simple but profound ways to express your gratitude during the Thanksgiving season.

Why Is Gratitude Important?

Gratitude involves acknowledging and being thankful for the people, experiences, and blessings you have.

Gratitude helps shift your focus from what may be lacking or challenging to what you already have and cherish.

For women over 60, gratitude can be particularly important for several reasons.

Perspective and Contentment

As we age, we may face various changes and challenges. Practicing gratitude helps shift our perspective from what we don’t like to focusing on the positive aspects of life. It cultivates a sense of well-being and helps us find joy in the present moment.

Mental and Emotional Well-Being

Gratitude has been linked to improved mental and emotional well-being. It reduces stress, anxiety, and depression, while promoting positive emotions, resilience, and overall life satisfaction.

Relationships and Connection

Expressing gratitude strengthens relationships and fosters deeper, more loving connections. It allows you to acknowledge and appreciate the people who have supported you throughout your life. Gratitude also inspires kindness and generosity, strengthening your bond with others.

Self-Reflection and Personal Growth

Gratitude prompts self-reflection and introspection. It encourages you to consider the lessons learned from past experiences and appreciate the wisdom gained over the years. Gratitude journaling prompts can help facilitate this self-reflection.

7 Ways to Express Gratitude During Thanksgiving

Gratitude is not something to express only during special occasions. Gratitude is a year-round practice of recognizing and appreciating the positive aspects of your life.

When it comes to the holidays, especially Thanksgiving, you are provided with a unique opportunity to deliver more joy to not only yourself but to those you are spending quality time with.

Here are seven effective ways to express gratitude during the Thanksgiving season:

Gratitude Journaling

Start a gratitude journal and write down three things you are grateful for each day leading up to Thanksgiving. It can be as simple as appreciating a beautiful sunset or cherishing time with loved ones.

Gratitude Letter

Write a heartfelt letter of gratitude to someone who has made a positive impact on your life. Express your gratitude for their presence, support, or any specific ways they have contributed to your well-being. You can choose to send the letter or read it aloud to them during your Thanksgiving gathering.

Gratitude Sharing Circle

Gather with friends, family, or a community group and create a gratitude sharing circle. Each person takes turns expressing what they are grateful for, allowing everyone to reflect on positive aspects of their lives.

Acts of Kindness

Engage in acts of kindness as a means of expressing your gratitude. You could volunteer at a local charity, help a neighbor in need, or offer your skills and knowledge to others. Sharing your time and energy can bring a sense of fulfillment and appreciation to yourself and others.

Gratitude Meditation

To cultivate a sense of gratitude and inner peace, practice gratitude meditation. Find a quiet space, close your eyes, and focus on the things you are grateful for. Reflect on the blessings in your life and allow yourself to fully experience the feelings of gratitude.

Create a Gratitude Jar

Decorate a jar and place it in a prominent location in your home. Encourage family members and guests to write down things they are grateful for on small pieces of paper and place them in the jar. Read the notes during your Thanksgiving gathering and celebrate the collective gratitude.

Share a Gratitude Meal

During your Thanksgiving feast, take a moment before the meal to express gratitude. Encourage each person to share something they are thankful for or create a gratitude prayer or blessing to say collectively.

Gratitude Is Transformative

Gratitude is a beautifully uplifting practice that can be expressed throughout the year and embraced at any age.

Being grateful is a state of mind and has the power to shift your focus to the positive aspects of your life. It also transforms the most mundane moment into a joyful, life changing experience.

Please feel free to share in the comments how you express gratitude and be sure to include how gratitude has positively shaped your life after sixty.

I invite you to join me in the video where I will share additional insights on the benefits of gratitude, including seven journal prompts to help you integrate gratitude into your Thanksgiving holidays.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you turned expressing gratitude into a year-round tradition, or do you only do it around the Thanksgiving holidays? Do you notice a difference in your mindset when you express gratitude for people, events and things?