Have you ever loved a stranger?
1000gratitudes was a beautiful experience. So much love and gratitude across the internet and in Albuquerque at the gratitude party. My heart was open wide primed with a day full of experiencing and posting my gratitude. At the party I felt so much love for every person who came through the door. Some I have known and loved my whole life. Others I met for the first time.
Love and gratitude. Gratitude and love. The more I practice gratitude the more love I feel. The more I practice loving the more gratitude I feel.
I am grateful that this practice has helped me to love more openly and more fully. I used to love so much more logically. Opening myself to love of those who I deemed worthy. Myself included. I loved as a transaction. I loved in exchange for love. Now love is true and real and free from judgment.
Don’t worry I am not putting myself at risk. While the feeling of love is free from judgment, I still use my judgment and discernment to keep myself safe. I am grateful to have learned how to set boundaries years ago. An ongoing gratitude practice is also great for that. It helps me know what I value, feel and need and have the confidence to put this into action with love and gratitude.
Be love. Love yourself. Love your friends. Love your family. Love your significant other. Love everyone else. Love every little thing that you see.
Be gratitude. Appreciate yourself. Appreciate your friends. Appreciate your family. Appreciate your significant other. Appreciate everyone else. Appreciate every little thing that you see.
In love and gratitude to you today and always,
~Antonia
[su_quote cite=”Nipun Mehta”]Our capacity to love is a currency that never runs out.[/su_quote]
This Week’s Gratitude Question
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My Gratitude Experience Last Week
Last week I wrote about feeling angry after writing two things I was grateful for and getting trapped in my head and having a hard time moving past. At the gratitude party we had a discussion about finding gratitude on a shitty day and I learned so much that shed light on this situation. Elizabeth asked why I had to write three things. Wasn’t the gratitude I felt and shared enough? Yes! Yes it was. I don’t have to be so rigid in my practice. I can let the gratitude flow naturally and lovingly. Also Genevieve shared about her journey letting go of expectations. This hit home for me so powerfully. Yes! I can also benefit from letting go of expectations. Letting go of my gratitude being shared in a certain way. Letting go of my gratitude being shared every day. Letting go of documentation of my gratitude. It is freeing and exciting. Yes, I do still believe in the benefits of writing my gratitude. But I also see the benefits of letting go. Releasing control and rigidity. Loving and appreciating what shows up.
Forgotten Gratitude
Last week I was also grateful for my Aunty Laura’s help, so much help in so many ways to make the event a success … Judy and Jean for their projects that added so much more to the event … All of the people who put so much love into their gifts they brought to share, food, hand-made and other … Nicole for spinning us into a dancing frenzy … Miche who against all odds shared her gifts with us … Allisun who took us on a beautiful meditation journey … I was also grateful to see cranes feeding in a field and to see one solitary crane in flight.
A New eCard
Image by Antonia Montoya
The Gratitude I Shared Last Week
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| Sun | 2/15/2015 | I’m grateful for relaxing away the day, snowy Sunday … Cold snow falling on me and all around as I sat in the hot tub, clouds of steam rising … The crackle of the fire, toasty and warm. |
| Sat | 2/14/2015 | I’m grateful for fatty tuna sashimi and freshly grated wasabi … Oxygenated giggles … Moving my body through vinyasa yoga, hip-opening, back-twisting … A day without pain … Being loved so very much. |
| Fri | 2/13/2015 | I’m grateful for a brand new toothbrush and a comfy spare bed … Being at the right place and time for coconut milk … Morning hot tub earl grey and bacon … Great dance music, so many costumed and talented distractions and a place to burrow in during each wave of pain. |
| Thu | 2/12/2015 | I’m grateful for getting out of town … Silly inside jokes, shout cow, horsededoo, and such … I’m grateful for a nap in the park … A vegan gay bar donut and coffee … Getting inspired while dancing to live music … I’m so grateful I was able to rest my eyes today and for $20 drops that actually work. |
| Wed | 2/11/2015 | As this day of so many gratitudes comes to an end I am full of love and honored to be part of something so delicious. I’m grateful for kisses in a darkened room … I’m grateful for meeting Theresa and Genevieve and the wave of good feelings they bring with them … I’m grateful for Elizabeth driving all the way from Oklahoma to connect with our grateful family … I’m grateful for a meditation journey of expansive gratitude. Thank you. #1000gratitudes |
| Tue | 2/10/2015 | I’m grateful for sitting here in silence … Completing a crazy turn around project … Noticing my jaw is clenched so I can consciously relax it and take a few deep breaths … Excitement from within and coming from many different directions … I’m grateful that this day is here … #1000gratitudes |
| Mon | 2/9/2015 | I’m grateful for not having to cook dinner … Insight into not choosing stress … Being productive even during my breaks … Sleepy knowingness … An exciting potential collaboration. |
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My gratitude journey started in May 2011 and continues to this day. Thank you for being a part of it!
A daily gratitude practice is simple. Write down three things you are grateful for each day. Download your free GratitudeGuide.
My clients focus on gratitude and learn from their successes to make the positive changes they want in their lives. You can to. Call me to set up our first meeting 505.333.9336.
Created by Antonia Montoya[/su_note]