Epiphanies
- What, from previous sessions, has come back around to speak to you?
- Which of the homework exercises have had an unexpected impact on your outlook?
- Where is this path leading you?
Video Presentations
https://www.ted.com/talks/david_steindl_rast_want_to_be_happy_be_grateful
https://www.ted.com/talks/louie_schwartzberg_nature_beauty_gratitude
Questions for Discernment
- How can you live tomorrow as if it’s the first day of our life and the last day of our life? What would you do? Could you then live the day after tomorrow as if it’s the first day and the last day of our life? And the day after that?
- For what are you grateful? …for the world in general? …at this time in your life? …in this place, right now?
Homework Exercises
- Keep a journal each day of the hardest challenges that you faced in that day. Write about the events. Write about how you handled it in the moment. Write about what you might learn from that challenge.
- Create your own personal “stop signs” that will cause you to pause and recognize the things for which you are grateful. They may be strategically placed post-it notes, prayers before meals or bed, periodic reminders that pop-up on your phone… whatever will work for you.
- Give someone close to you the power to be your ‘gratefulness alarm’. When that person sees that you are overly stressed or filled with anxiety, give them permission to remind you to “stop, look, go”. When that person sounds the alarm, commit yourself to treating it seriously and immediately reflect upon those things for which you are grateful.
Side Trails
https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_edmondson_how_to_turn_a_group_of_strangers_into_a_team