Recently I had the unbelievable good fortune to, once again, spend a week on Martha’s Vineyard. My wife & I have a timeshare in Edgartown, on the harbor. When I tell people this, I almost immediately feel the need to explain that it’s just a small hotel-like room with a bathroom, nothing fancy. I do this in lieu of an apology…because I feel guilty, or feel that people will think I’m bragging, or that I’m rich (the worst sin of all!). One day it dawned on me that, by doing this, I am actually maintaining an attitude of ungratefulness, when, in fact, I’m incredibly grateful that I get to go there every year for a week. I LOVE it there, I love the air, the ocean, the trees, the boats, the alpacas, the people, everything!
This got me thinking about what my goals & dreams are for myself and how, if I can’t embrace a week on Martha’s Vineyard, am I ever going to explain my future house on the beach? If I can’t be truly grateful for this timeshare, will I be able to manifest my dream beach-house?
Yes, I said manifest…I know, now I’m getting into woo-woo territory but hear me out…I truly believe that in order to be open to receiving good things in our lives, we have to live in a positive, grateful way. We have to embrace happiness and be open to the possibilities that surround us. If we walk through the world with a negative mindset, we can miss the good things, we think “that’s too good to be true”, or “good things never happen to me” and, in doing so, dismiss real opportunities. One of my clients recently had a shift in mindset from one of hopelessness to one of hope. She’s looking at things in a more positive way and it’s having a real and material effect on her life.
She got a new job.
She is finding places of beauty in her neighborhood where before she only saw neglect.
After wishing for a kayak (a seemingly unattainable dream in her current situation), she received one as a surprise gift that same day
The only thing that shifted to create these positive changes in her life was her outlook. She took charge of her mindset, banishing negativity, so was able to see that she deserved to be happy, deserved to see the beauty around her, and deserved to be employed.
I’ve decided that I will never again “apologize” for my fabulous week on the Vineyard. I deserve it!
So, my challenge to you this week is to find gratitude. I guarantee you have things to be grateful for, you just may not see them that way…yet! Here are some of the things I’m grateful for, perhaps they’ll inspire you:
A bright sunny day
A rain storm, it keeps the grass green & helps beauty to grow
A gourmet meal with my wife
My good health
Chilmark Chocolates
Any chocolates…
You get the idea, most all of the things I am grateful for are small in the grand scheme of things but, because I acknowledge them, have an enormous impact on my life.
What are you grateful for? Please comment below and share with us.
Ciara Gogan is a Women’s Self-Empowerment Specialist and Master Certified Life Coach. Go to her website ciaragogan.com and sign up to receive your bi-weekly Mojo tips & insights