Gratitude List & Dream Board

If you haven't been introduced to one of these before, I welcome the opportunity to do it.

Gratitude List
This is something that my wise mother always tells me to do when I'm feeling sad. And although half the time being reluctant to (since I have to leave my self-pity state, and we all love self-pity), in the end, I'm grateful for it. Who would have guessed?

A gratitude list is a simple process that allows you to realise how many things you are actually blessed and happy to have.

But the power of such a simple list is outstanding - especially if you are feeling miserable and have to write 50 things you are grateful for in your life. As you do it, you will see there is more and more for you to be grateful for. From your family, friends, home, opportunities.. the list goes on and on.

It is a great way to see how blessed we truly are.

The Dream-Board
This really is a continuation after being grateful. Here, it's the first step in making dreams become reality.

A dream board is another self-explanatory idea. Here, on a piece of paper, wall, whatever works best for you (as long as you can see it daily) you put images of yourself doing what you want or feeling how you dream.

Example:

As you do your dream board and you edit yourself into these images, you can feel it becoming true. I tried it out last year, and three things have already come true!

Let me know what your experiences are with these.

P.S.: If you're interested more in reaching your full-potential, I recommend you watch The Secret

I love you

Those three little words are the most powerful ones but the ones we are most scared of. We are scared that once we gently say them aloud, we will be rejected.

I will always remember my house-mate who was the most loving individual I have ever known. She was also equally gentle with her words, and she wasn't scared to express how she truly felt. You knew that when she said she loved you, she meant it.

This was a shock to me at first. I didn't know how to deal with her honesty and vulnerability.  With time, however, I've come to see the importance of expressing those words. If you are blessed to have a true friend, then they should know that you love them. It shouldn't only be something that comes out of your mouth when you think you might loose them or not see them again.

We all need to be appreciated, showed we are cared for and loved. No matter how much of a tough facade you put on.

And if that friend that you so dearly love doesn't value your friendship as much, that doesn't invalid your sentiment.

The ability to love is so beautiful. You appreciate and are grateful for this unique person. There is no shame in loving your friends. There is no shame in loving your enemies, for even these people show you something about yourself.

Now, by this I don't mean go out there and say 'I love you' with such ease as you say 'I am hungry'. These words are powerful and their power ought to be shared appropriately, because it is through loving others that you are able to love yourself.

The 12 steps of Coursework Anonymous

1) Accepting that you are powerless over avoidance (facebook)
After much contemplation, you finally close your browser. You proceed to staring at a piece of paper with the most intimidating phrasing and finally choose a question. Step one is evidently complete, so you can return to Facebook.  

2) Believing that books will help you through this process 
You surrender your lack of knowledge/insight to the local library. Here, you will find help in your long journey with your essay. 

N.B: When you write your essay, only 1 in 10 of these books will actually be useful.

3) Surrender to your avoidance and open a book
After three days of staring at these textbooks laying around you, you finally gain the courage and strength to pick one up. You stare at the contents page blankly. Nothing seems relevant and so you take a break. You continue this process with all your resources, asking yourself "Why did I think this was useful!?!"

4) Realising how you don't understand a bleep about your question
After welcoming the help and knowledge from the books, you realise how little you know. You start to regret not doing the weekly reading and curl into a ball.

5) Admitting your stress to those around you and how you are so screwed.   
After opening the books, you admit to yourself how you don't know anything. You panic and message someone/talk to a housemate about how you don't understand anything!!! 

6) Forgiving old self for not doing any work and placing your faith  in the books
After stressing and doing everything to avoid work (cook, clean, go out, watch t.v., do your hair...) you give in. You face the books again and hope they will help you.

7) Humbly asking the books to help you through the process
We put our faith into the books and hope they will fill in the knowledge gaps.

8) Amending by making a list of things you need to read to
The sun starts to shine as you begin to grasp more your topic. You still feel a bit shaken by it all, but hope that your commitment now will lead you into success.

9) Action - opening a word document and start writing your essay
After the books restoring your faith, you put everything into action. Of course, there are a couple of facebook breaks in between. 

10) Reviewing your essay and noting the shortfallings
The wonderful stage of editing.

11) Hope - after re-reading your essay, you hope that you have done all that is within your power to succeed 
Here there may be a brief experience of panic and thinking you have taken it from the wrong angle. However, you have faith in your work and ability.

12) You finish your essay and proceed to say 'next time, I'll start earlier!'

Disclaimer: This is based on the Alcoholic Anonymous 12 step program. It is in no shape or form trying to replace or undermine the validity of the 12 step program in addiction recovery.