Meditation: Calm, 7 Days of Gratitude: Unlocking Happiness Length: 12 minutes Where: Home Office/Guest Room, Los Angeles How It Felt: Pure Love Who Joined Me: Steve
Yesterday I just felt like taking some time to be intentionally grateful. We’ve had a lot of good luck recently and I don’t want to ever get caught taking any of it for granted, especially in crazy times like these.
So, instead of doing the next meditation in the “How to Meditate” series, I chose a gratitude meditation from the Calm app instead. It is technically the first in a series- I was disappointed that I couldn’t find any single sessions that were gratitude or appreciation focused, though it’s possible I missed it- but I can always come back at a later point and do them all, or do them one at a time, as needed.
This is one thing I’ve missed about the Abundance series I finished from the Chopra app- taking time to be mindfully grateful and connected this way each day. Of course, I try to remind myself throughout the day to stop and take note of all I have to be grateful for. When I get water from the fridge, for example, it takes a little while to fill up, but instead of feeling impatient, I’ve developed a habit of using that time to be thankful for fresh water, to give extra thanks that I have it at my fingertips this way. Or I’ll go over a gratitude list in the shower, or before going to sleep, or I’ll text my husband random things I’m grateful for- just little ways to be sure I stay in an attitude of gratitude (CHEESE alert!)
So, yesterday Steve and I faced each other and did this lovely meditation, just giving thanks for it all, especially for having some time together. This pandemic has been extra challenging for our long-distance lifestyle, so the little time we get together is beyond precious.
I realize this whole post is oozing with gross mushy stuff, but, damn, isn’t that the best part of life? The gooey, lovey, happy stuff? The times you feel so much love you could just burst?
I’m into it.
Overall, it was a wildly beautiful experience. We did yoga first, then meditated, then spent the evening ordering the most ridiculous comfort food and watching funny shows together. A perfect pandemic “date night.” Heaven.
Frankly, friends, I’m happy right now. I’ve been working again, doing creative stuff, there is light at the end of this pandemic tunnel, I’ve been watching my loved ones get vaccinated and felt that stress slowly melting away, our country is back on track (always more to do, but decidedly in a better place), and this consistent meditation, writing, yoga, self-care stuff has been going a long way toward balancing me out. I’m just happy.
And that’s a good thing. Never let anyone convince you otherwise- when you’re happy, BE HAPPY!
My Year of Meditation 