Seeking Beauty In Everyday Life
“Slow down, you move too fast…” Simon & Garfunkel
A simple way to stay centred, happy and to begin your day well is to express gratitude and count your blessings.
Listing 3 blessings each day on a piece of paper for 21 days has measurably improved people’s brain functioning and decreased their levels of stress and anxiety.
A simple way to do this: on your way to work, get off one or two stops before your job, or park further away than normal, so you have a 5 to 10 minute walk to work as you begin your day.
And instead of churning through your to-do lists… what’s bothering you… or even preparing for that big whatever today… talk to yourself (out loud if you’re brave enough) about what you’re grateful for.
Look around for things to bless, and literally say “I’m grateful for this glorious weather… or that attractive person… or the pouring rain that’s filling the rivers and watering the plants…”
Just make it a habit of looking for things to be actively, exultantly, and happily grateful for and see what happens…
Another simple technique is to notice and thank trees, bushes, flowers as you pass them by.
Remember, if it wasn’t for photosynthesis — for the way leaves turn sunlight into oxygen and plant material — life as we know it would not exist.
So go ahead try this as well and see how you feel…
Be well,
Andrew.
PS. Researcher has also shown that a brisk walk (like you’re a little late for a bus or a plane), 30 minutes three times a week, is more efficient and more effective at lifting mild to medium depression than medication.
