I’m on my way to Burning Man…it took me years to say yes (or to even consider this festival). As you may know, it is a week in the desert where life can’t live year round. A city is built for this week and then burnt down and the practice is being in community, letting go and trusting.

 

Have to be honest..

 

I have very little trust going on. I am in fear. I am scared that my self-care and rituals will fall away and I will be effected by the elements negatively and I will not survive very well out there.

 

Soooooo….

 

I am starting out my trip with an intention. Something I can focus on and thrive in. This week, my focus is on practicing gratitude.

 

More than that. My focus is on having an attitude of gratitude and celebration. I’m breathing this into my experience of fear at this moment.

 

I wrote about this awhile back in an article on Elephant Journal called The Art of Living on Purpose. It’s a great read if you have time to go through it. It’s about taking the time to say out loud what you are grateful for in your life. It’s about self-validation, healthy self-confidence and being a heart-centered, purpose-based person.

 

And that’s exactly what I’m striving for this week.

 

Would you like to join me?

 

Here’s a simple exercise that I suggest in the Elephant Journal article:

 

Make a commitment to find at least three things to be grateful for each day. Start with little things like tea, almond milk, friends, your dog/cat/pet, favorite piece of clothing, etc. Then grow into things like personality, your courage, your talents… 

 

It just takes a moment. You can do it right now.

 

What are you grateful for? 

 

I think you’ll find that before too long, it will be easy to name way more than 3 things every day. In fact, it will be hard to stop.

 

Say it with me: I AM GRATEFUL.

 

Now, what are you grateful for?

 

I am grateful for a lifestyle where I get the opportunity to create from my heart.

 

I am grateful for the badass people in my life and in my community who inspire me every day.

 

I am grateful for my health; body, mind and spirit.

 

I hope you’ll join me in practicing gratitude this week. Life flows with magical moments, and you can be present to experience those moments and receive them with joy.

 

This is a tremendous gift to give ourselves.

 

One more note: I am grateful for you.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

 

All my love,

Hemalayaa