Here’s a few important facts which might seem unrelated:
1. They say it takes 30 days to establish a new habit. Research has generally proven this to be true.
2. Lately, I’ve had a few good friends hint around the fact that it might be time for me to move forward faster with life and with my writing.
3. One of the best / happiest books I’ve read lately is ThxThxThx – Thank Goodness for Everything, by Leah Dieterich.
4. When I was president of the Tucson Tri Girls, one of the most popular traditions I started was the December Runathon. This was a completely unofficial event where you committed to run at least 3 miles every single day during the month of December. Since all the holidays in December typically cause people to skip workouts, the runathon format created accountability that caused everyone to run every day NO MATTER WHAT tried to get in the way. When you commit to do something every single day, you learn to not let things interfere.
And here’s where I tie these four random facts together. I hereby declare August to be my personal month of gratitude. Every single day for the month of August, I will post a description of something in my life I am grateful for. This is very similar to what Leah Dieterich does on her amazing blog. So I totally acknowledge this idea is NOT original, and I am borrowing this format, although I will be tailoring it for my own writing style. Instead of running every day for a month, I will be grateful every day for a month, in order to establish this as a new habit for myself.
Every day for the month of August, I will write a thank you letter to something or someone and explain my appreciation. I will do this because I know that gratitude is helpful to banish anger and I know that gratitude is one of the healthiest emotions we can feel. I will do this because I sincerely want to feel more gratitude on a daily basis and I believe that establishing this habit will contribute to my overall happiness. I will do this because I truly want to shift my mindset.
And for you – my wonderful reader who is reading this post right now – I cordially invite you to participate right along with me. You can write into the comments on this blog whatever you are grateful for today. Post here once or twice or weekly or every day, whatever suits your fancy. Be aware that the more frequently you try this, the larger the impact on your mindset. I can’t wait to see what you might share.
So here goes the beginning of a brand new habit…
August 1, 2011
Dear Motorcycle,
Thank you for being the most perfect vehicle for carrying me away from my sorrows and letting my soul fly freely on the open road. Thank you for letting me climb on back and turn off my brain for a few blissful hours. When I turn on my iPod and pull on my helmet everything in the world seems perfectly ok. Riding on you is better than any therapy or any alcohol or any other vice. Riding on you calms me down so I can function as a normal human being again. When we wind around together through the mountains and the desert and I see the buildup of giant monsoon clouds, I’m reminded again how much I love this gorgeous state. It’s been a while since we rode together and I missed you and it’s great to be reunited. Thanks for doing what you do and for carrying me back safely to my own life again. I hope to see you again soon.
Cheers,
== niki
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Niki,
I’ve been following your blog silently but wanted to jump in and let you know I’m thinking of you on your journey and to share the following expression of gratitude for something you did many years before which I still often think about. I am so grateful to you for picking me up from the airport in Columbus and driving me to OSU Hospital where my dad was having bypass surgery very early one morning in 1994. It meant so much to me then and is still a reminder to me of what kind of friend and person I would like to be. Even though we haven’t been in much contact over the years, I still think about you a lot. Hugs to you.
Hi Connie,
Wow, what a thoughtful and wonderful comment – thank you for sharing this. 1994 feels like SOOO long ago, and yet it also feels like yesterday. It’s funny how we can continue to think about people we see so rarely, but I love that we do. So thank you for following along here, and please let me know if you come to Arizona so we can connect in person! Hugs. == niki
Hi Niki – I’m subscribed to your blog and I love reading your posts. Since I’m going through a very similar situation this summer I like reading how you’re getting through it which helps me to remember to do some things myself! I am going to blog along with you and give gratitude (formally) in August on my blog. Thanks for a great idea… positive thinking is such a great exercise and habit to have!
Keep your chin up
-Tracy
Hi Tracy,
Thanks so much for following along here, but I am so sorry you are going through something similar. My wish would be that no one would have to go through this. At least we can take comfort in the fact that we are not alone, and other people before us have survived. I can’t wait to read more about your gratitude on your blog. Hugs to you == niki
When I first read Niki’s blog post on Monday I was thinking how awesome that she is doing that and what a great spin to put on her situation and was just really giving her kudos in my head. I am normally a very thankful person and do believe it is good for the soul Then, as she usually does, she asked us to join along. Gratitude? Ugh. This week as been a tough one for me. I’ve developed a secondary infection over a rash that I’ve been fighting on my fingers. My fingers are swollen with pustules and I am in a lot of pain. A. LOT. The initial medicine seems to have angered the infection and rash so a new round of swelling and pain ensued. I’ve missed work, missed meeting up w/ friends, missed workouts and instead have been huddled on the couch with ointment on both hands.
Then, Niki, in a text yesterday, asked what I had gratitude for in these yucky days. “Nothing!” I shouted in my head.
And yet…
I was thankful, very thankful that I work from home. Since I can’t shower or comb my hair or put on make up…let’s just say I’m not presentable. At all. So, it is wonderful that I can work in my jammies and then go nap on the couch when the meds kick in.
I was also very thankful for my two dogs. They both have given me comfort these past few days. Dakota will come and sit next to me while I sleep on the couch and Timber, well, let’s just say he’s stayed out of trouble.
I was also thankful for my Mom who brought me food and cleaned up my kitchen.
This morning, I am thankful for the right medicine. The antibiotics I started yesterday are starting to work…Hurray! The swelling is down and even though it is still painful, I am starting to believe I will have normal looking fingers again.
Lastly, I am thankful for Niki, who reminded me that if we look past ourselves, there are things to be thankful for all around us.
Thanks, Niki!
Hi Susie,
I am so sorry about all your current challenges. I’m glad you were able to shift your perspective right now, when you need it most. Also remember… this too shall pass. Thanks for checking in and reading along. Hugs to you,
== niki