Life has been feeling intense, and I feel like I have barely been able to keep up. Unfortunately, whenever I’m in this space, I tend to forget about all the grounding practices that could help keep me upright and find my center.

Yesterday, I realized that my once regular practice of gratitude has not existed in I don’t even know how long. So, today I Recommitted to Gratitude with a big gratitude list.

I was super inspired by Tiffany Pratt, who is a designer + stylist / a rainbow come to life, as she shared her practice of using her mala beads to practice gratitude! She touches all 108 beads and thinks of one thing for each bead until she goes around her entire necklace.

I love this idea so much, that I will be definitely be practicing it daily. Even if I only have time for half of the beads, or 3 of them, or even just 1 – because something is always better than nothing.

Do you have a way you practice gratitude? I’d love to hear about it!

P.S. If you like to hear more from Tiffany, as I so desperately did – she is also featured in this podcast (episode #333 Enter the Glitter Suite)

I spend a lot of time thinking about what I want : goals, intentions, dream case scenarios, taking time to manifest with the moon… And I truly believe the act of dreaming is wonderful, but if it is not balanced with a heavy dose of appreciation for what is right now – it can be dangerous.  And I speak from experience.

Gratitude is a practice that I am constantly recommitting to. It’s not a revolutionary idea – but powerful shifts can occur when it is practiced daily. Because what you focus on expands.

It is easy to spend a micro-second on the awesome and many, many seconds (minutes, days…) on the not so awesome. Gratitude requires fierce dedication and a willingness to see the light.

small things : twinkle lights + a mini mala

So this is an invitation to pause and notice the mini things : the nice comments, the small interactions, seeing your favorite color, or time on the clock, good meals had, tears of relief cried… An invitation to write it down, be specific, and let yourself be filled up by all the good that exists in your life.

If you need inspiration, I love how my friend Danielle creates Bliss Lists, my mood improves simply by reading them. This post from the archives gives you some ideas on where to keep a gratitude list. And this mini meditation on gratitude will help you locate the beautiful small things.

Commit to gratitude daily. I will be here doing the same.

Vacation is awesome. Ten days of it is just blissful. Before I zip into my Frankfurt life immediately forgetting all the peace and ease of yesterday and the many days before, I’m going to pause. Pausing is always good.

Our little beach.

Our perch.

Butterfly and bumblebee doing their thing.

Hammocks make me so happy.

Luca naps may make me even happier.

Summer solstice ritual.

Olive groves everywhere.

And may pieces of my yesterdays stay with me today.

“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm, and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” – Jawaharlal Nehru

“It is gratitude that expands my ability to receive beauty in my life.” – Oriah

When I focus on all the wonder in my life I am significantly happier. Life seems easier and sparklier when I write mini gratitude lists or jot down the magic that exists in my days.

Example: I am grateful for morning runs, Luca naps, muesli with chocolate, and quiet mornings.  I’m grateful for rain showers, loud booms of thunder, and the picture of a rainbow my brother sent me via What’s App.  I’m thankful for unicorn stickers, handmade stamps, fresh lavender, and homemade cookies.

Result: Ahhhhhh……

Sometimes I forget this super simple practice and my life then reflects it.

When I have a clear space to write down highlights from the day life gets even sweeter.

Find a place where you can keep a growing list of all things that are awesome. Moleskines rock.  I love my gratitude journal.  And I’m starting a magic log in a mini-notebook.

Start with the basics.  Let it ramble.  Let the words tumble out.

Write in the morning.  Write at the end of the day.  Find a time and just write anyway.

A beautiful video with insightful words:

‘You think this is just another day in your life. It’s not just another day. It’s the one day that is given to you today…. It’s the only gift that you have right now. And the only appropriate response is gratefulness.’

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nj2ofrX7jAk?feature=player_detailpage&w=640&h=360]

For all that was, and all that is – I am brimming with gratitude.