Why I Practice Gratitude

Well champions, Christmas Eve is upon us!

I love this time of year. I love the tradition of it all – like most people, for me that really means getting together with all my friends and family to celebrate the year’s end and to enjoy being together.

This time of year is all about tradition. The little traditions specific to your family, reminiscing about old memories and celebrating all of that history.

I’ve been doing a lot of reminiscing lately. A few weeks ago my Dad gave me some boxes of old family photos and I’ve been getting all of them scanned into a digital album for my whole family to share. It’s been really nice to remember all those crazy, happy, funny times I shared with my family when I was younger.

You know, it’s kind of weird looking at old photos because sometimes it’s hard to stop yourself getting caught up in the past. When you look at old photos, all you often remember are the good times – I mean, no one ever whips out the camera when you’re crying!

So how do you reminisce without getting stuck in the past?

There’s something I practice every day that helps keep me connected to the present, to the here and now.

What am I talking about? Gratitude.

I’m big on gratitude and I try to start every morning thinking about three things I’m grateful for. And there is so much to be grateful for…

Waking up with the sound of the ocean

My beautiful partner Michael

My friends and family

The opportunities I have to facilitate positive change in third world communities, thanks to Interplast

The challenges I’ve overcome

And of course, the champions reading this post. All of you inspire me and I’m grateful to have you here.

So, why do I love gratitude so much? I love practicing gratitude because you can’t be grateful and angry at the same time. You can’t be grateful and hurt at the same time. You can’t be grateful and envious at the same time! 

If you’re truly grateful, that’s the only experience you can have.

Being grateful allows you to reminisce without losing yourself in the past.

I’d love to hear about what you’re grateful for this Christmas. Share with me in the comments!

I hope you all have a kick-ass Christmas!

Turia xx

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