Cathy Catlin from The Soul Detective, sent me this article for Gratitude Girls. The actual link to the page is, http://www.smallbusinessceomagazine.com/article.aspx?article=209

Gratitude is a very, very powerful emotion. Cultivating a practice of being thankful might just be one of the single most important things you could do to boost your bottom line AND your own feelings of life satisfaction. Did that get your attention? I hope so!

A recent study in the field of positive psychology reveals that a daily exercise of expressing gratitude can be so potent that individuals who had a diagnosis of depression actually got significantly happier! Wow. The exercise? It was simple andtook about 5 minutes, tops. Every night before going to sleep, reflect back on your day and think about what your top three "blessings" are. What were the best things that happened to you? Maybe you took on a new client...wrote a chapter in your book...or had a lovely meal. Write these three "blessings" down on paper. Do this every night for a month. Increased happiness is guaranteed!

It can be so easy to get "caught up" in the drama and stress of everyday living that we may forget to thank people for their contributions to our lives. We are all in this together. No matter what line of work you are in or what personal project you are developing, we utilize the services of others to accomplish our goals. There's power in saying "Thank You!" Thanking people works for many reasons, on many levels. Bottom line is that it feels good to appreciate and it feels good to be appreciated! Authentic appreciation can be more effective than material incentives in many situations.

Here are "3 Quick and Easy Ways To Use Your Thank You Power":

1. Carry a few thank-you cards with you and commit to a daily practice of sending a note of thanks to one or two people who've helped you today.

2. Reflect on your career. Who were the top 25 people who helped you to get where you are today? Send them a note of appreciation.

3. Take stock of who your "key players" are in your own life from your spouse to your Virtual Assistant. Be sure to thank these people for all that they do to contribute to your success and happiness.

Thank You Power...only more good will come from it!

About the Author:

Success Coach and Speaker, Diana Long, is the President of the Life Design Institute. Diana can help you transform your dreams into reality and give you the shortcuts to success with her variety of life-changing programs and products. Learn more about Diana and receive your FREE Report,” 3 Huge Mistakes People Like You Make to Sabotage Their Success & How You Can Completely Avoid Them!” and Free subscription to “Life & Work Design Secrets” e-newsletter, please visit www.DianaLong.com

I asked a dear friend and fellow Gratitude Girls member, Carla Reeves, a journaling guru and journal designer to share a wonderful journaling exercise with us! If you do not journal now it is a great time to start, it is a wonderful way to sort through any challenges that you may be facing, to make decisions,to help you to see things in a new light!

Enjoy!
Elizabeth

A few years ago I realized that I resisted New Years Resolutions. They felt forced, like I was fixing something and they didn't allow for much freedom. At that time I created a process that removed the barriers and could be used anytime of year when my soul felt ready to check in and refocus.

Tis the season to reflect on the year past, and create for the year ahead. Bring new energy and perspective to your process this year and honor the different aspects of who you are. You will create lasting change by choosing goals and intentions that inspire you and are aligned with who you are! Here's how.

Take a minute to breathe and bring your focus inward.

Write down the areas of your life (relationships, career, spirituality, wellness, adventure, community etc...) with space to write under each area. Capture your first thoughts as you ask yourself the questions below.

Look at each one individually and ask yourself...

What's working in this area of my life?
What's not working?

After you have gone through each area, go back to the first and answer this question for each one.

In your journal...
What do I want to create in this area of my life? (Write down three words that describe what you would like to create - i.e. love, freedom and adventure) You don't have to know how you will make it happen. You are creating a vision. By standing in this vision, the actions and resources to make it real will show up!

Go back and look - are you inspired by what you have created? Does it call you into action? Have fun with this and DREAM BIG for 2009! If not now, then when? If not you, then who?

Carla Reeves
Sanity Journals...Be in your write mind
602.821.8646
www.sanityjournals.com
www.thesanityjournal.blogspot.com

2009 is going to be an Amazing year! Full of Growth, Self Discovery, & Gratitude!

Over the past week I have taken some time to journal, read, and focus on all of my goals! I wanted to share with you a few powerful tools that I came across along the way.

1. A Self discovery journal called, Building the Best You; Found at Barnes & Noble. It is a daily journal that takes you through a series of questions, and then more in depth questions, monthly. Just a fun way to take time out daily, focus on positive points to your day, and acknowledge daily what you are grateful for.

2. My Life List; A goal setting journal, found at Barnes & Noble, is Totally fun! You document up to 36 goals, and then break them down into smaller steps. You can document your progress as you move toward your goal! There is a place to document your celebration as you have reached your goal! This is such an important part, that so many of us skip right over. When you reach your accomplishments, take the time to celebrate them!

3. Another great book called, Live the Life You Love, by Margaret Merrill, can be found at Amazon. com. This easy to read book, delves into Discovering your Purpose and Living with Intention! It is a great read, and a great way to start off the new year!

Here's to an amazing year!
May you be blessed with your every dream and vision!
Elizabeth