Tuesday, January 4, 2011

What a Year of Gratitude Did to Me: Raw Facts, Pt. 2


As if the 6 amazing things my 365 thanks did to me and which I've already mentioned in the What a Year of Gratitude Did to Me, Pt. 1 post were not enough, here's the follow up to it with some more positive changes I observed happening in me over the course of a year:
  1. It introduced me to my true and better self by showing me what some of my true values were - you can't possibly feel thankful for something often if you're not sincerely interested in it. 
  2. By making me see just exactly why I appreciated the people in my life it showed me who my true friends were and it made me a better friend to them. 
  3. I’m no longer worried about hearing “no”, because for every little “no” I hear I know I'll get so many exciting “yes’es”. It's like it gave me wings, this kind of a confidence boost, freedom to fly I was looking for elsewhere but have found within.
  4. It made me stop noticing 'bad' weather by making me see the beauty in everything around me. You can now easily spot me walking through cold rain, strong wind or heavy snow conditions smiling, and this just doesn't sound like a portrait of me from a little over a year ago.
Talk about amazing transformations and the power of gratitude! Makes me wonder if these are all the changes that took place or if there's something else I didn't remember to include... 


19 comments:

  1. I really needed to read this. thanks!

    Kathleen xx

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  2. Thanks for sharing this. I need to work on more gratitude this year!

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  3. Preach it! You're such an inspiration, it's like you had a total epiphany this year, eh? Seeing the beauty in everything is a daunting task but very noble to work towards. I remember when my parents were going through a divorce and my Dad moved into a new place and the entire thing was just horrible and devastating, he got this piece of art that showed all of these people under umbrellas and then one person off to the site, in their raincoat looking up at the sky and it said "smile at the rain". I asked my Dad where it came from and he said - well I thought it would just be good for what we're all going through right now. That has always stuck with me. I struggle always smiling at the rain but I love the sentiment and you pretty much embody it!

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  4. Love the picture, you did it?

    :) 2011 will be even more grateful than 2010

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  5. Not only did you learn things about yourself, but you challenged us to look inward too!

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  6. Thank you for the comments Julia :) you're always very kind!

    Many people (not sure how many) read my blog and never left a comment, i follow many people who have never read my blog,
    But you, maybe because this feeling of gratitude and lifestyle always found time to read my posts, the funny, ridiculous or depressive post :) so yay i'm grateful for your comments and to know there's somebody out there who actually understands me a bit!

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  7. Every coin has two sides...it depends on us if we see only ugliness or beauty...
    It's very good for you that you have reached to the point and you only see beauty!

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  8. This is so amazing! I love #1 really sticks with me, "It introduced me to my true and better self by showing me what some of my true values were" - it's so easy to forget in today's modern world, you rock!

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  9. I didn't realize you were keeping this blog alive with such great posts. I was sad when I heard that announcement about the end of it those months back.

    Well I'm checking out the latest posts now and really enjoying them. What really comes across here is that you are a seeker of truth — you seek to know who you are and what is at the root of things. And yet you make a conscious effort to be positive in that journey, when for so many people it is a dreaded trip full of sadness and depravity.

    You continue to inspire me, Julia! I know many people also feel the same way, whether they are commenting or not.

    —G

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  10. "I’m no longer worried about hearing “no”, because for every little “no” I hear I know I'll get so many exciting “yes’es”. It's like it gave me wings, this kind of a confidence boost, freedom to fly I was looking for elsewhere but have found within."
    -->Like they say, when one door closes, a new window opens ;)

    And you're right. It's always about perspective. Happiness is seeing the glass full and not half empty :)

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  11. This is inspiring, thank's for sharing!
    xx

    Henar
    ...OH MY VOGUE!

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  12. glad you liked the story, I love all of yours :)

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  13. ..he he ..I like number 4 , that is si true , in every thing we can see some beauty , even in grey sky , puddles etc ..I still loving that picture with shopping bags on your feet : )

    ..and ..sweetie , Merry Christmas to you and your family ..

    В тихий зимний предрассветный час
    В предвкушеньи чуда все затихнет.
    Сверху благодать сойдет на нас,
    В небе звездочка младая вспыхнет.

    Рождество пусть веру принесет,
    Возродит в сердцах людей надежды,
    От невзгод и горестей спасет,
    Светом озарит любви безбрежной.

    hugs : )

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  14. Thank you for the links that you have left on my Blog :) it's really encouraging to read your story :) and I also enjoyed reading your thank you's from the beginning of your journey :) this is so powerful :)
    <3 Thank you <3

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I appreciate you taking the time to connect and share your thoughts, so thank you for your comment! And while you're at it... Why not tell me what you're thankful for today? ;-)