Gratitude & Grace

By Andrea Kartika Deierlein

November 24, 2020

'Tis the year for stress levels to go through the roof - and the holiday season can add some extra ouch into the mix.

To gather or not to gather with family and friends, in person or on Zoom, buttons get pushed, triggers get triggered, feelings are on edge.

It's no surprise that people often tend to focus on what's going wrong in their lives, rather than notice what's going well. It's so easy to get sucked into the negative, analyzing what went wrong, how we can fix or change things.

Sometimes we may even become obsessed with these thoughts. We're turning our fears, doubts and questions over and over in our heads – until it feels like all our thoughts have turned into one crazy ball of mush.

We worry a great deal of what could go wrong, must be done, can’t wait, while moving further away from noticing, nurturing and enjoying all the little things that are working smoothly and effortlessly.

But a simple act of gratitude provides us with the opportunity to bring attention and appreciation to what is. Being thankful can become a tool for bringing us back into the present moment. It’s an invitation not to follow the mind’s crazy ride into the past and into the future, at 3,000 miles an hour.

When we develop our sense and skill of appreciation in everyday life, regardless of what 2020 is throwing at us, we're invited to let go of the what-if's, our ideals of perfection, all the if-onlys; if only... if only... if only...

Don’t if-only or what-if your life away. Instead, right now, this very moment, allow yourself to recognize the positive and the beautiful. You'll see there are plenty of things to notice.

Terima kasih is Thank You in Indonesian. It also means to receive grace. Every time we give thanks, we also receive grace.

Life is precious. You are precious. You deserve your attention.

Start by paying attention to what's well in your life, what and who makes you feel good. Then take a moment to give thanks. And open yourself to the gift of receiving grace.

About Andrea & Thrive Reiki:

I help highly stressed professionals, close to burnout, who struggle with anxiety and overwhelm, to relax, calm down and breathe. What separates me from other Reiki practitioners is that I focus on stress management and the mind-body-connection. I believe that self-knowledge is power and I support my clients on their transformation from exhausted to empowered. Would you like to know more? Let's chat.