MINDSET MATTERS

A season of Gratitude. It should really be a season that is celebrated daily, but somehow this time of year draws us to be more introspective and grateful, and writing those things down makes them that much more significant. Here are a few of my musings on the topic. 

 I came across a gratitude exercise I would like to share with you here along with my answers.

>Write down five things you are grateful for today.

My health, my family, my opportunities, my home, my work.

>What is the one thing to be grateful for from each of your five senses? What beautiful things have you seen? Heard? What wonderful things have you tasted and smelled? What textures have you touched that brought you a sensation of gratitude?

I saw a humpback whale, I heard the ocean roar, I tasted the salt air, I smelled the sea spray, I touched the Earth.

>What things do you love about your best friend? Your spouse? Someone else important in your life?

My friend’s enduring support, my spouse’s inner strength, my children’s compassion.

>What five memories are you most grateful for in your life?

Daffodils in spring and for my birthday, Going to the symphony with my parents, Spending time with my grandparents, Meeting my husband, Giving birth to my four children.

I hope you will take a few moments in reflection and meditation and answer these questions for yourself.

“Giving thanks is one course from which we never graduate.” 

~ Valerie Adams

It has been studied and reported over and over that having a practice of giving and gratitude can change the world in so many ways. It can change your individual world, in the way that you see things and others, and open up a spiritual awareness and energy that is so desperately needed in our lives. It can change the world around you, through your actions and impact on others in your community.

Just for a moment, let’s look at the difference between giving and gratitude. I am wondering if this is a kind of “chicken and the egg” dilemma, as to which comes first. It seems that we find it easier to focus on gratitude because that is what we have received and is abundant in even the unnoticed everyday gifts of the universe – air and water, earth and sky. We create gratitude lists and keep gratitude journals as a practice of acknowledgment for all that we have received.

But what about the giving? It seems we have a harder time giving in the same measure as we receive. What does giving look like? What does it require? It can start with something as simple as a smile. Try this simple experiment – consciously, intentionally, and genuinely smile at at least one person a day for the next week and note the responses you get. Next, try giving genuine praise to someone, either family, friend, or co-worker. Genuine praise is specific – not just a “great job” but describes exactly what was great about it and/or how they had an impact on you or others. If you aren’t quite ready to do it verbally and face-to-face, start with a praise note on a nice card.

Your giving will encourage others to open up their talent banks and begin to give of themselves. Help them realize that this is one bank that cannot be overdrawn.

I will leave you with some pearls of wisdom on giving…

“The human contribution is the essential ingredient. It is only in the giving of oneself to others that we truly live.” ~ Ethel Percy Andrus

“I like to give my energy to activities that affirm the oneness of humankind.”  ~ Claire Randall

Everyday Thanks. Whether it’s the coming holidays, or the changes in seasons, this time of year brings us a heightened awareness to be grateful and give thanks, so I hope the following might inspire your sense of gratitude and that you will pass it on.

Here are some of life’s treasures to guide your gratitude moments…..

Abundance, Air, Ancestors…..Children, Comfort, Creativity…..Hands, Healing, Health…..Imagination, Intelligence, Intuition…..Kindness, Knowledge, Kisses…..Oceans, Oneness, Optimism…..Taste, Teachers, Traditions…..Walking, Water, Wellness…..Zeal and Zest.

Start your own alphabet gratitude list.

Here are more “words to live by”…..

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”  ~ Leo Buscalia

“…give to the world the best you have, and the best will come back to you.”  ~ Madeline Bridges

“How lovely to think that no one need wait a moment, we can start now, start slowly changing the world!”  ~ Anne Frank

“The more he gives to others, the more he possesses of his own.”  ~ Lao Tzu

And finally, two of my favorite books sharing gratitude and abundance…..

For all ages

 – The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein

 – The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, by Charlie Mackey

May you find peace and joy this holiday season.

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THE ALAKA’I BOOKSHELF

This month …a glimpse of what’s to come…

After my first book, Under a Full Moon and a Guiding Star published in 2023 I was asked multiple times if I would be writing another one and I really wasn’t prepared to answer that question at the time. Now I am, and I have! Coming in February of 2026! Here’s a hint at what you will find, “If you are willing to stand at the edge and keep walking, you will go beyond.”  ~ Michael A. Singer, The Untethered Soul

Keep you eye on this link for more updates:

https://alakaiassociates.com/book/ 

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WELLNESS MATTERS

How to Reduce Oxidative Stress Naturally 

Oxidative stress is an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the ability of the body to counteract their negative effects by neutralizing them with antioxidants.

Umm . . . . what exactly does that mean? And how does this affect your body?

Learn more about oxidative stress and how to reduce it and its effects in just 30 days! Naturally!!

https://lanialmanza.lifevantage.com/us-en/blog/oxidative-stress  

You can also find more Wellness Products to support your wellness journey at www.alakaiassociates.com/wellness-products

First-time orders will receive an additional thank you gift once the order is confirmed.

More Alaka’i Services 

Alaka’i Associates will present, host, and collaborate on a variety of workshops, retreats, and gatherings throughout the year to meet the interests of our followers and friends. We look forward to seeing you. Explore all we have to offer at https://alakaiassociates.com/services/ 

If you are interested in learning more about the Discovery Journal workshops contact me for a link to a tutorial or if you would like to host a workshop in person or online.

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Subscribers ONLY

Monthly Subscribers Gift – Two lucky winners will receive the Subscriber Giveaway to help you on your wellness journey! Subscribers are also eligible for special discounts and offers. In addition, any current subscriber who refers a new subscriber will receive an additional gift!

You can also contact me to schedule a free one-on-one Discovery Call to make a plan for your wellness.

#LiveAlohaLiveWell