gratitude Archives | The Hundred

gratitude

Expressing gratitude isn’t always easy, actually sometimes it’s work.. Really hard work! Why? Because we can get so caught up being busy with our to-do lists and keeping up with everyone in the fast lane, that some days can leave us completely losing sight of all the gifts that are all around us.  

You see, gratitude isn’t something that only happens to us when good things come.  It’s something we practice and cultivate and give.  ‘Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.  Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more’- Melody Beattie.  It’s so easy to look at the ‘little’ things and think of them as small and non-important.  But let’s shift that perspective and look at each and every one as a little miracle.  And the everyday miracles and gifts in our lives were meant to be acknowledged, shared, and passed on.  

To help you on your gratitude journey, here are a few tips to become more aware and able to practice gratitude in your daily life. Simply choose 5 minutes (or more) a day to sit quietly and express your gratitude by writing them down – big and small. This practice alone will improve your overall outlook on life. So, go ahead, write 10 things, or write 50! The number isn’t important… Just give it a try! 

This month, we have a special challenge for you.  Pick a friend, family member, colleague or whoever, and agree to share daily 3 things that you are each grateful for. You could also do this on social media possibly, by paying it forward and sharing stories of giving (maybe highlight a friend or small business who is doing great things for others!)   Let’s help each other appreciate and celebrate the blessings all around, and right in front of us!  You never know how your little gesture of thanks — whether a text to a friend, an open door, a small donation, a smile, or an unexpected long hug will completely change someone’s life. 

Make thanks AND gratitude happen today.  Let’s get started right now! What are YOU grateful for? Let us know in the comments below or tag us on social media @thehundredwellness 

Quick exercise: Thank someone RIGHT NOW.  If you are reading this, you either have a phone or a computer, so make the call, send that text or write that email.  You never know how your kind gesture it will affect and change a person’s life. 

 

kind

Being kind is a wonderful experience. When you are kind to others, you feel good as a person — more positive, optimistic, and happy! Did you know that when you are kind it actually triggers physical and psychological responses with the most obvious response being the ‘feel good’ sensation, better known as the “helper’s high”!

So when you do something good, your body rewards you by releasing endorphins. These ‘happy hormones’ create the feel good experience, and the person who receives a kind act experiences the ‘feel good’ response too! Who can deny that it’s really nice when someone randomly smiles at you, thanks you, compliments you, or even helps you in some small thoughtful way.

And while we may not get any snow in Dubai, there is definitely something magical about this time of year. With the spirits of community, gratitude and generosity that are deeply rooted in our UAE culture, it could be the warm fuzzy feelings that we get when we are gathered with those we love the most, or when we are feeling the power of giving without expecting anything in exchange. If we open our minds to the opportunities, we will find that there are so many small ways to consciously practice kindness, spread happiness and create joy all around us.

With Giving and Charity playing such important roles in the holiday season, we have decided to step up our efforts to encourage more conscious acts of kindness and generosity within our community. Starting December 19th stop by and join our team at The Hundred Wellness Centre as we help to pay it forward! Let’s all work together to simply be kinder, happier human beings while we brighten someone’s day.. And who wouldn’t want a little bit of a “helper’s high” too?