Miscellaneous Monday: Can I get a little gratitude!

[Stuart Capel - London]

Happy Monday!

If like me you're at the watercooler trying to decompress after a busy Monday morning, maybe you'll enjoy a little exercise in gratitude.

I'd love to hear about a healthy, intrinsic aspect of your life that you're grateful for. Think: what's a valuable activity / skill / trait that makes you happy whilst still being healthy and sustainable.

My favourite personally is my love of gardening and plants. It's not exciting or exotic, but I get so much intrinsic joy out of watching plants grow, preparing my vegetable patch and bringing fresh fruit and vegetables home to eat - knowing it's sustainable and fresh. I'm thankful that something so simple gives me pleasure and comfort, as I know to some people it just doesn't do anything for them.

Another is my ability to sleep! I've been so lucky to never suffer from insomnia - my thoughts are with you if you do. But hopefully there is something you're grateful for that you wouldn't swap for anything!

I hope you get to take some time out today to focus on what makes you happy, and that it becomes an act of mindfulness that lifts your day!

Disclaimer - this is not my garden 😂

[Andy Gladstone]

Thanks @Stuart Capel - London for this post. An intrinsic trait (one that I have worked on developing so it was not always intrinsic) that I derive a lot of satisfaction from is my tendency to judge others favorably. When I see someone doing good, I don’t question their motives, when I see someone doing less than good I give them the benefit of doubt before passing any judgment. That does not mean I am blind to absolute bad or evil acts and will identify and label them as such from the outset, but the vast majority of human beings can benefit from being judged innocent until proven guilty. I feel this gives me a healthy outlook on life and allows me to continue to operate in a world that can sometimes be overwhelming. 

[Stuart Capel - London]

Thanks @Andy Gladstone 

It's so tempting to be cynical and hard to see the good out there sometimes - it's a really nice trait to have!

[Susan Waldrip]

Whoever's garden that is must love it!

My oasis is our property, 5+ wooded acres with deer, rabbits, squirrels, tons of birds, bob cats, foxes, and an occasional mountain lion or bear. I'm grateful to have been a steward of this land for several years, and when I have a stressful day or just want to hear the wildlife, I go walking on a path we made through the property. What makes this an even more healthful activity is when we take the goats with us, they're so curious and playful, and it's hilarious when they realize we've walked ahead without them and they start running and making their "wait for me!" noises. But I wouldn't let them near your garden, there'd be nothing left! ☺️

[Amanda Barber]

Exercise is such a release for me! Over the past 2 years, I've also developed some "gym friends" which has added an extrinsic motivator, too. 

[Tomislav Tobijas _Koios_]

I tend to do some exercise every day after work. As I usually work from home, I've reordered one room to be a 'gym room' where I can do a round of exercises every day as it just boosts me up 💪

Now as you mention gardening, I'm waiting for Spring to come so I can do some upgrades to my backyard 🌲

And for this:

...Another is my ability to sleep!...

I envy you! 😅

[Barbara Szczesniak]

An intrinsic aspect of my life that I am grateful for is my patience. I do not generally get annoyed or angry and can let things go quite easily. I have never held a grudge (or understood people who do). Also, my family always chooses me to drive when there's likely to be stop-and-stop traffic. 

[Shawn Doyle - ReleaseTEAM]

I keep myself amused.