Gratitude After Thanksgiving

Happy Monday...I hope everyone had a nice weekend and holiday. I saw Stevie Nicks in concert last night and it was wonderful! 

Now that Thanksgiving has passed, what about the other 364 days of the year? 

This year will be coming to a close very soon. Why not create some new habits right now? Have a mindset of being grateful every day and not just on a holiday.  

It's easy to get caught up in this fast paced, busy  life we all live...It's easy to focus on what's wrong in our lives...The thoughts we think and what we choose to give our attention to, is the energy we send off into the universe...What we are attracting into our life. When we consciously focus on what we are thankful for, we are sending out positive vibes. Shift your way of thinking from what you are lacking, to the multitude of good that is already present in your life. 

Ready to have an attitude of gratitude? 

Each morning, start out your day by thinking about what you are grateful for.  - You can also create a gratitude journal where you physically jot down what you are thankful for. Click here to read my blog post on creating your own gratitude journal.

Be mindful - Many times throughout the day, I'll remind myself to observe my surroundings and appreciate the present moment. Staying in the NOW, eases our worries, and makes us feel more joy and happiness. 

Share your gratitude with others - There's always room for more love and appreciation. 

Here are few things that I am thankful for:

• Having such wonderful people in my life, who support and love me. 

• Traveling. I truly feel such freedom and my soul becomes more alive. 

• The life lessons I've learned from difficult moments in my life....It has made me stronger and wiser. 

• Sunsets and the changing of the seasons. 

• The unique perspective that each and every one of us brings forth. 

• And...Netflix because of the Gilmore Girls revival (I had to throw that one in there)!

What are you thankful for? 

Also, if you haven't listened to Alicia Key's new song, Holy War...I highly recommend you do so. It's a beautiful song about us all coming together and loving one another.

As always, if you have any questions, leave a comment below or feel free to email me at TheZenFashionista@Gmail.Com 

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Until next time,

XOXOTheZenFashionista

Thanksgiving Gratitude

With Thanksgiving being this week, I thought I would write a post on gratitude. 

During the holiday season, we usually feel closer to others. We celebrate the holidays by sharing a meal with family, we pick out presents for our friends, and we give back to our communities through donations and volunteering. 

My challenge to you before the end of 2015 is to enhance you attitude of gratitude. Let's not just be thankful on Thanksgiving and during the holidays, but each and every day. 

Gratitude is a two way street. Have you ever noticed that when you pay someone a compliment or do something nice for another person, that you feel good afterwards as well? 

Studies show that practicing gratitude daily makes us happier. It makes us more optimistic and improves our self esteem and well-being. Being grateful positively impacts the people around you and has the power to improve your own life. 

I'm planning on writing handwritten letters expressing my gratitude for the important people in my life and including the letter in their holiday cards I send out each year. 

Here are some interesting and thought provoking ways that you can show gratitude:

Smile at a stranger in passing. 

Speak kindly to yourself - Look in the mirror and give a compliment. 

Pay for the person's coffee who is in line behind you. 

Begin a gratitude journal- Each night, before you go to sleep, write down five things you are grateful for. 

Make eye contact- When interacting with someone, if you make eye contact, you'll show that you are present and paying attention. 

Volunteer your time- at a soup kitchen, nursing home, a veteran's hospital, library, etc.

Start your day happy- When you wake up, find something positive in your life that you are thankful for.

Embrace your mistakes- We are not perfect. Instead of criticizing, allow yourself to move on and grow from the experience. Ask yourself what wisdom you attained or the lesson you learned. 

Spend quality time with friends and family- Put down the electronics and be present to what's going on around you. 

Help the elderly- Offer to carry their groceries, shovel their driveway, invite them to join you for dinner, pump their gas, etc.

Give compliments to people you hardly know- such as your waiter or someone in the checkout line. And of course, compliment those you know too!

Give a belonging away- Have you ever been complimented on something you were wearing or had an item in your possession that someone admired? A piece of jewelry, a scarf, a writing utensil, etc? Next time that happens, consider giving the item away. It will make their day. Being selfless can enhance your well-being. 

Spend less time speaking negatively and gossiping. Instead, focus on sharing something positive. 

Make a donation- Help those in need or give to those who have made immense personal sacrifices to preserve our freedom. Some examples are: Toys For Tots, Salvation Army, Wounded Warrior Project, The Friendship Circle, a local food bank...The list is endless.

When you become stressed during your holiday dinner or when you're part of the chaos on Black Friday, remember this....Make the best of a "bad" situation. Make the conscious choice to live in gratitude! 

What are you thankful for today? Have you performed a random act of kindness yet this week?

Have a lovely holiday weekend!

XoxoTheZenFashionista