A Mindful Gift that will never be forgotten

Are you tired of the commercial aspect of the Holidays where the emphasis is on buying gifts that people either don’t need or want? Do you lack original ideas of what to buy? Perhaps you have people on your list who have everything and you are stumped as to what to buy?

Would you like a gift idea that not only will be meaningful for the receiver but will also train your brain to focus on the positive?

For the next consecutive 21 days simply take two minutes a day to write down three things you are grateful for about this person. Identify specifics such as aspects of their character that you admire or something they did/said that impacted you as a person. Each day write down three new things on separate pieces of paper and place them in special container. It can even be an empty pickle jar; it doesn’t have to be fancy!

By the end of the 21 days you have trained your brain to look at not only this person more positively, you have also taught your brain how to look for the positive before the negative in any circumstance you find yourself in.

A variation of this is to keep a gratitude jar in your home or office, and encourage family members or staff to write notes of appreciation on an ongoing basis. On special occasions gather everyone together and pick out notes and read out loud. You will be amazed at what this does to uplifting people’s attitudes and connection with one another.

It’s easy to focus on what we are grateful for when things are going good. Especially during the Thanksgiving and Holiday season when there is more emphasis on what’s right in the world instead of all that’s negative.

When the Holidays are over, and the emphasis returns to work problems, the economy, and daily routines, you will have developed the ability to look at whatever comes at you with a positive mindset. Not only will be you be happier, but research shows by focusing on the positive, you will be more productive, creative, and energetic!

If you would like more information about the research behind this exercise, listen to this humorous Ted talk by Shawn Achor.

Make a Conscious Choice to focus on the positive in others and notice how it affects your own happiness…Especially in giving a gift that will never be forgotten!

Bonnie Artman Fox
Mindfulness Trainer and Coach