Tag Archives: gratitude journal

are you forgetting to breathe?

Slowing down…

is NOT a valued focus of our diy and get it done society

Yet the more we take on, the more stress we feel. And the more stress we have, the less peace we experience. When we lack feelings of peace, stuff begins to fall apart.

I’ve found myself in this place more times than I care to count. Most recenly I have been guiding my facebook group in the Art of Being Grateful. But what happens when you aren’t grateful? You don’t see the bright side of life? Or maybe too much has been setting itself against you, and you just can’t cope?

How do you then find your way back onto the path of peace and gratitude?

It could be that you simply need to breathe

We as humans, on average, take about 17,000 breaths a day…but did you know that most only use the top third of their lungs to do it?

Those shallow breaths do not oxygenate the lungs enough for them to thrive. Yes, they will survive…

but who only wants to survive?

a conscious deep breathing

receiving more oxygen to the body and brain

exhaling just as deeply and purposefully

…these are the things that will help you build lung strength [and who can’t use that right now?]

AWARENESS

Do you know if you are breathing properly? To check, simply watch your stomach to see if it rises and falls when you breathe. If not, you are not using your diaphragm to breathe

PRACTICE

Using a conscious effort to control how we inhale and exhale will help to create a more regular practice of deep breathing. The longer and more often you practice, the more innate it will become.

THRIVING

Our health, mind, and creativity depend on our ability to have self-control and to be able to implement practices that fill our spirits. Breath work is vital component of that thriving to bring us into the purpose and life we’ve always dreamed of.

“Short Shallow breaths trigger what’s known as fight-or-flight response”

magnolia journal

This not only drains your energy, but also can trigger negative thought patterns that will send you spiraling if left unattended to. Now is the time to take control of those patterns.

Working in your gratitude journal regularly can help

Being grateful takes the focus off of yesterday and tomorrow, and places it where it belongs…in the present.

Tune in Next Monday in our facebook group “Express Yourself! A Creative Soul-Journ” to see how you can work effectively in your journal using not only words, but pictures, color, and affirmations to keep you feeling thankful so that when those difficult times come back around – you will have an effective tool in your weapons arsenal.

If you do not belong to this group, go ahead and join. It’s free!

Peace and Love and Art my friends

~lisa

Gratitude and the Creative Connection

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Science and Psychology tells us that there is a strong link between gratitude and mental health. Let’s explore that connection to our Creativity…

PEOPLE with an “attitude of gratitude”

  • experience lower levels of stress
  • are more satisfied and tend to have higher levels of self-esteem
  • have a sense of increased well-being, as well as lower levels of depression and anxiety

The link between the mind-body connection aligns with how gratitude can have a double benefit. For example, the feeling of appreciation helps us to have healthier minds, and with that healthier bodies.

Here are 5 ways GRATITUDE can help your creative practice:

Healthier minds tend to be more creative, as they look more deeply at their surroundings noticing details often overlooked.

The right side of the brain is best at expressive and creative tasks. Gratitude can strengthen the synapsis, creating stronger connections and enhancing the right brain abilities. Some of it’s strengths include: Recognizing faces. Expressing emotions. Music. Reading emotions. Color.

Stronger self-control which helps with discipline and focus. Long term this can help you to make that creative practice more consistent.

Gratitude is a powerful tool for strengthening interpersonal relationships which can lead to a deeper Artist/Customer connection. Art isn’t about the need for what you make…it is about the connection to the work, and the artist themselves.

Simply being grateful for being alive is a great way to motivate oneself to seize the day. Take on that creative project that you didn’t think you could do…You Can!

Creative Next Steps:

Would you like to cultivate a practice of gratitude? I am starting a new book project on my facebook live Monday sessions at 9am –here. Can’t join live? All of the video sessions will be available in the “Express Yourself! A Creative Soul-Journ” group. Its free to join, you can do that here

I hope to see you there. Like, follow and share this post, my page or the group….I would love to have you along on this creative journey. Let’s do this together!

Tell me ~ What are you grateful for today? Leave a comment and encourage someone!

Peace and Love and Art ~lisa