Month 4: The Power of Gratitude

For month #4, which happened to be in November, Jen and I thought it would be a good idea to use Leah Toeniskoetter's idea and create a gratitude journal. We did it a little bit differently. Every day, Jen would acknowledge one thing she is thankful for and if it was a person, she would let them know. For me, I actually identified 30 people that I was thankful for and let each one know individually.

The exercise started with me taking out a notebook and literally writing down each name that came to mind. I think I started with about 15-20. Then as things happened and people did nice things, etc. I added more to the list. At the end, I told 30 people what I was grateful for from them. The people ranged from family, to childhood friends, to acquaintances, to Haley's teacher and my children's long-time day care provider.

The most fascinating thing about it was that the people I knew the best (sisters, long-time friends, etc) were the ones that seemed most surprised or appreciative of my feelings. I guess I assume that those who know me best know how I feel about them, but obviously that is not true. This was definitely a feel good challenge for the month, especially since my strength is not sharing my feelings. It was very good to get out of my comfort zone in that regard. And challenge or not, this is something I would recommend (even in a smaller scale) that everybody does...

JEN'S THOUGHTS:

Josh is right. I was the first person he thanked and it hit me by surprise...even though I knew the challenge was starting that day. There is something about hearing the words said aloud (not just in an email or a card, but face to face) that makes it get right to you. I felt appreciated and loved and I loved that I would be showing gratitude this month.

The biggest thing that I learned is that I am naturally grateful and generally don't take things for granted. I have learned to love the moment you are in and not just yearn for the next. This has come to me through life lessons, some of which were not fun to learn. I was on a run one day and was thankful for my legs. I never want to be someone who would lose something and wish i loved it while I had it. I can run, dance, chase, walk and move because of my legs.

I, too, found it surprising that my family were the most moved by my gratitude. Well, except for Haley who said, "Mom, I know you love me. You tell me all the time!" Now that I am a parent myself, the way i feel about my own parents has changed. I think about their life and all they did to raise us the way they did. AMAZING! I could only hope to be so good at the job of parenting.

I have a lot to be thankful for and I hope to always to know how good I have it.

Month 3: 40-Day Mantra Completion

Well, it took me a total of 69 days, but I finally completed my 40-day sanskrit mantra for wealth and abundance. As I mentioned in a previous post, I had started the 40 day mantra of chanting the following sanskrit: "Om Gum Shrim Maha Lakshmieyei Swaha" 108 times a day for 40 days. The rule is that you have to do it 40 days straight, which is why I had to start over because I forgot on day 29 the first time. There is obviously significance to the 108 number in that it is considered a magical or spiritual number in Hinduism and you really have to chant out loud because of the vibrations from your voice that go into the universe.

The purpose of doing this was for wealth and abundance, to help remove blocks or barriers to abundance. Of course, you can look at things as a coincidence, but I choose to look at it the other way. So, in no particular order, here are the things that happened when I started doing the full 40-day mantra:

1. After being told that my three sports blogs were shutting down two days after I forgot to say the mantra on day 29, I have started new contracts with two different blog companies and have picked back up all three sports blogs;

2. We learned that we were to receive two inheritances - both of which added up to nearly $25,000 and helped eliminate nearly all of our debt (not including our house)

3. I received a check I had been waiting for for quite some time;

4. I was approached by a company looking to pay freelance journalists to go to concerts and sporting events and write about them;

5. I won a $100 eBay gift card as part of a contest

Pretty incredible. And, I had the mantra on a CD so I just listened to it and chanted on my way to work. In fact, four days after the mantra was complete and I'm still continuing on. It's just too cool to stop.

Checking Back in on Month #1

As you may recall, Jen and my challenge in the first month was to help my mom get her art business off the ground. As part of this effort we created a website for her, opened up a PayPal account and created an invitation and plans for her to do an art show at her house.

In November, my mom hosted that art show and I can tell you that she sold 5 paintings as a direct result. Incredible! And, she has boosted her reiki business as well.

In addition, our friend Courtney, who co-owns a design company did some trade of reiki for the design and printing of a business card so my mom now has a business card specifically for her art and reiki work.

It has been so rewarding to see her grow professionally and feel that sense of pride that what she has created actually has value to people.

Month 3: Mantra Re-Do

My third month's challenge was a 40-day Sanskrit mantra for wealth and abundance. Sanskrit is a historical Hindu/Buddhist language. And, according to Wikipedia, a mantra is is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that are considered capable of "creating transformation". This particular one that my mom helped us pick is for removing barriers to abundance and prosperity. We are supposed to chant the following "Om Gum Shrim Maha Lakshmiyei Swaha" 108 times a day for 40 days. Believe it or not, it only takes about 5 minutes. If you forget a day, you are supposed to start over.

So, I was doing great. I actually received a couple of checks during the first two weeks that I had been waiting on and it was great. Then, on day 29, while I was in Seattle for work, I completely forgot about the mantra and as a result, had to start all over.

What is interesting to note is that two days after I forgot, I received an email that the company that I did my sports blogging for decided to eliminate their entire blog network. I don't know if it's a coincidence (it's not), but that definitely lit a fire under to me start over and finish my 40 days, which I am now 3 days away from finishing. After I complete it, I will share my experience - which has been incredible to say the least.