Often, when I coach a client, we begin the session with three breaths. These breaths are meant to align our rhythms and heartbeats, and to allow us, as individuals, to release anything that happened before we came together.
The words I use while we inhale and exhale together may vary. Sometimes I’ll say, “Let’s take a nourishing breath,” or “Let’s take a grounding breath,” or even “Let’s take a restorative breath.” These words change based on what I sense in the moment, but I love the idea of taking three breaths because it centers me and connects me with my client. It also sets the intention to be fully present and hold a safe space for one another.
I always appreciate that clients respond positively to this practice. They might be rushing to meet with me or dealing with something that happened earlier, so this moment of breathing gives them time to regroup.
In addition, if my client is going through a big life transition or something heavy, another practice I may incorporate into our conversation is a practice of gratitude.
On today’s Wise Walk, I thought we could slow down, check our reality, and ask ourselves these questions:
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- Do you have a daily practice where you slow down, connect with your breath, and practice gratitude?
- Can you start to incorporate a practice of gratitude to help you move through life’s heavy moments?
- As you look at your day, or you look at the coming weeks, is there anything that you have anxiety about?
- Is there anything that feels a bit heavy for you?
- What can you do to incorporate a practice of gratitude to help you move through transitions with a little bit more inner peace?
- What are some ways you can practice gratitude on a daily basis?
- Do you journal? What am I grateful for at this moment?
- Would you rather practice gratitude in the morning? Do you have a cup of coffee and just allow yourself to be present in the moment?
- Can you put where you feel aligned and blessed into words? Can you hold that sentiment in your heart to practice gratitude in whatever way feels aligned for you?
- Do you have what you need? What is really supporting you?
- Who is in your life that you feel grateful for? Can you tell them?
- What are some of the things that you experienced today that you feel grateful for?
- What are some things that you’re looking forward to that are going to support you on your journey?
I am so grateful for each and every one of you. You continue to surprise and delight me. I received some great feedback from the last episode, and I’ll be reflecting more on it. So, thank you again. I’m also feeling thankful that my power is back on!
I will hold you in my heart as I practice gratitude daily, and I look forward to our next conversation on Thursday. Please join me again for next week’s Wise Walk. Until then, be sure to practice gratitude, prioritize fun, read the signs, direct your path, and get your stride.
In this episode:
[04:53] This past week, Florida, and a lot of different states, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and some parts of Tennessee, were impacted by Hurricane Helene.
[05:17] It was intense with a lot of stress and emotions.
[06:01] I live in Northern Florida so I wasn’t directly in the path, but we still experienced high winds, tornado warnings and lost power.
[06:40] Practicing gratitude really helped me take the storm in stride. I know I am very blessed. Practicing gratitude helped me feel all the positives that I had in that moment, and that I could take that with me wherever I went.
[08:11] Everything is relative. “The miracle of gratitude is that it shifts your perception to such an extent that it changes the world you see.” – Dr. Robert Holden
[11:48] Practicing gratitude has multiple health benefits from boosting your immune system, increasing red blood cells, and even decreasing stress.
[12:50] Practicing gratitude can even help reduce pain and depression.
[14:08] A lot of times we pay attention to what’s not going right. If we can flip that script things will go better for us.
[14:45] A grateful mind is a great mind.
Memorable Quotes:
- “I love this idea of my clients taking three breaths, just because it centers them in the moment, it connects them with their breath.” – Mary Tess
- “Mother nature, who is unpredictable, and strong, and beautiful, but can also be destructive in different ways, so we have to adjust to the elements.” – Mary Tess
- “Practicing gratitude really helped, ground and center me in this moment of changing my perspective and helping me move through the heaviness.” – Mary Tess
- “Practicing gratitude helps reinforce our brain’s ability to get to a place of gratitude easier, and reconnect or revisit those emotional experiences that elevate us and boost us.” – Mary Tess
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