Are you grateful enough?

Gratitude is a powerful thing. I think most of us practice basic gratitude when we receive gifts or when something nice happens, but how many of us can truly say we are grateful enough?

I'm not talking about sending thank you cards after Christmas, I'm talking about sitting back and realising all that we have to be grateful for...

The friend who text to see if you're OK.
The kiss your child gave you this morning.
The warm bed in the warm house you woke up in.
The food on your table.
The parent(s) or grandparent(s) that are still with you.
The smile a stranger gave you on the way to work.
The freedom you have to dress however you like.
The song that makes you smile when it comes on the radio.
The smell of autumn.
The last hug you received.

All these things and thousands more besides. But most importantly, for me, is whatever love you have in your life.

Love is the most powerful force, and no matter who we are, where we're from, what we have or don't have; we can all still love and be loved. And boy am I grateful for that.

I was inspired to write this post today as the very wonderful Karen who writes at http://yankeedoodlepaddy.com/, has started a beautiful 30 Days of Gratitude Challenge on Snapchat this month.

The concept is simple; for each and every day in November, you speak about something you are grateful for on your Snapchat story. It can be the same thing every day, or something different each time - it doesn't matter at all! Karen is collating all the entries and adding them into a prize draw at the end of the month so there's also the chance to win goodies. But competitions and giveaways aside, I think this is such a powerful and uplifting challenge to take part in. It's full of love, just like Karen herself.

Don't forget, if you would like to take part then also send your Gratitude Snaps to Karen directly. Her SC username is blissbakery. And I would absolutely love to see them too so please follow me and I will follow you back, even send them to me too if you like :) my SC username is emmab82. You can also see my first two posts on there today and don't worry if you're a little late to starting, just make sure you post enough gratitude snaps to catch up to today's date!

So, here's to a thankful and grateful November. I can't wait to hear all about yours.

Bye for now
Em xx

Do You Know How to Accept a Compliment?

When was the last time you received a compliment? Maybe someone commented on a Facebook picture? Or someone stopped you in a bar because they loved your dress or shoes? Maybe you were praised for a work project or piece of writing? Or possibly a member of your family let you know how happy you make them?

Now think about the way in which you reacted to this compliment, If you're reading this post then it is pretty likely that you did one of the following...

1. Answered with another compliment
Complimenter: "Oh wow, you look amazing!"
You: "So do you!"

2. Changed the subject
Complimenter: "You really made me smile this morning"
You: "Well, I'd had the morning from hell. The cat was sick on the dog and the kids nearly blew the house up"

3. Laughed it off
Complimenter: "You know, you have really beautiful eyes"
You: "Really?! Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha ha ha.  Ha"

4. Played it down
Complimenter: "I love that top, it really suits you"
You: "Oh this? It was only £5 in Primark!"

Sound familiar?

You know you've done it.

We all have.

But today, it stops!

Today we turn a new page and begin a new chapter towards feeling better and more confident. And big results always start with very little steps. This is just one of those steps.

Now, I know I am going to make this sound really easy. And I honestly know it isn't, but neither is it that hard when you really think about it.

So the next time you receive a compliment, whether it's online or face-to-face and whether it's someone you know or a stranger, I want you to simply listen to the compliment, take a deep breath, and just say... Thank You.

Two little words. Really rather simple. But not usually the first thing that comes out of our mouths in these situations. But receiving a compliment should never be anything other than a lovely experience. It's not an awkward inconvenience, it's an actual gift. That person has seen or felt something so good about you that they feel compelled to share it. They are literally giving you a gift.

So imagine that those words are wrapped up in beautiful sparkling paper, and that the complimenter is handing you a gift. You wouldn't dream of taking a present out of someone's hand without saying Thank You now would you?

So why do it with a compliment? It makes no sense when you think about it does it?

Let this be a little challenge to you. No matter what person or what context, next time you receive a compliment, just say thank you.

And don't forget to let me know how you get on! It'll make you feel great I promise! And keep practising...

Don't forget to follow me on Snapchat for more daily motivation and tips! My username is emmab82

Until next time, stay beautiful!

Em xx