Gratitude Walk

Dear Reader,

Here is a powerful exercise in gratitude to assist you on your way to finishing this Year of Excellence in style. It has been a favorite for Louise and I over the past two years, and on my list of potential post topics for far too long. What better time to share than now, near Thanksgiving for those in the States and nearing the end of my year-long focus on creating a life filled with meaning.

Louise and I love to go for a brief morning walk, usually lasting no more than ten or fifteen minutes. We walk together in the morning before sitting down to work, after each having had time alone for reading, visualizing, meditation, prayer – whatever practices we each feel called to.

As we walk, we take turns stating one thing we feel gratitude for, in that moment. The feelings and statements are spontaneous – we voice whatever is in our hearts. We might express gratitude for something simple and specific, like a good meal we had the previous evening; other statements might focus on feeling inner peace, or having good health, or all the abundance that comes to us.

Sometimes, I am simply grateful for my breath, or the way the light reflects on the harbor, or  the freshness of the morning air, or how good it feels to walk.

Other times, I am grateful for the presence of love in our world.

As we walk, we each allow the other to express their gratitude in silence, without commenting or responding. It’s not a hard and fast rule, because occasionally one of us will make a statement so right that the other feels compelled to nod, or smile, or say “Me too!” Sometimes we trade statements rapid-fire, but other times they come out slowly, with contemplative space in between.

At the end of our walk, we each state what we would like to create or experience during the day ahead. “Today I would like to be in my spirit all day,” or “Today I would like to have a great client session and get a fun surprise in the mail!” “Today I would like to be open to discovery,” or “Today I would like focused work time and some quiet family time in the evening.”

We always feel a little lighter, a little more at peace and a little more connected with each other when we walk back in the door. That warm feeling of appreciation builds in our hearts as we walk, and often remains with us long afterward. I find that it helps me maintain a receptive, creative, non-stressed state in which I can better access my intuition.

The gratitude walk is great to do with a significant other, but can also work well with a friend or alone. If you do the exercise alone, make sure to express your gratitude out loud – it tends to be more powerful that way.

That’s it – simple, quick; it feels great. You get fresh air and exercise early in the morning, and connect with nature. Most important of all, you are reminded of all the good in your life right now – and there is always, always something for which to be grateful.

I honor your loving heart,

John