A simple prefix that helps a gratitude practice stick

Summary

The author shares their personal struggle with maintaining a gratitude practice and introduces a new approach using the phrase "I love" instead of "I'm grateful for" to foster a more consistent and enjoyable routine.

Abstract

The article discusses the author's difficulty in establishing a regular gratitude practice despite understanding its benefits. The author's perspective shifts after discovering a meditation track by Sarah Blondin on Insight Timer, which suggests using "I love" as a prefix when acknowledging things one is thankful for. This approach is described as more appealing and versatile, allowing for the appreciation of past, present, and future experiences. The author illustrates this method by listing various things they love, such as the beauty of nature, personal discoveries, and the joy of deepening relationships. The article encourages readers who have also struggled with gratitude practices to try this new angle and to share their own "loves" for mutual enjoyment.

Opinions

The author finds traditional gratitude practices challenging to maintain.
Sarah Blondin's meditation track is highly recommended for its soulful and poetic nature.
The phrase "I love" is considered more engaging and flexible than "I'm grateful for."
The author expresses a deep appreciation for the beauty of Johannesburg's jacaranda trees and South African storms.
Personal interests, such as Nia dance and interior design, are highlighted as sources of joy.
The author values the depth of conversations and connections with people they have known for years.
There is an invitation for readers to adopt this new gratitude approach and share their own loved experiences to inspire others.

A simple prefix that helps a gratitude practice stick

Photo credit: Avi Chomotovski from Pixabay

I don’t know about you but I’ve struggled to get into a gratitude routine. It’s so good for you, I know. What you pay attention to shapes the quality of your life, I know. But flip, I start and stop with it. It hasn’t stuck. But I’ve found an appealing angle, and I wanted to share it with you.

My find was this recent meditation by the gorgeous Sarah Blondin on the free meditation app, Insight Timer. If you haven’t come across Sarah’s resonant tones and soulful, poetic lines, I highly recommend you give her a try. Her tracks are less traditional meditation and more soulful poetry.

This particular 11-minute, gratitude track tells a short story and then invites you to share the things you love.

There is something delicious about the prefix “I love” versus “I’m grateful for”.

“I love…” feels so much more appealing. The phrase can traverse past, present and future.

It invites loved things old and new, deep and superficial.

For example,

I love the purple eruption of jacaranda trees along Johannesburg streets at the end of each year.

Johannesburg jacaranda Photo credit: Mark Wadley

I love the drama of South African storms: the building intensity of charcoal in the sky before the explosive release.

Brooding sky over Dalmore Guest Farm, KwaZulu-Natal. Photo credit: Antonia Wadley

I love the recent find of Nia and dancing into my day.

I love white sheets, beautiful cups and saucers, and the delight of beautiful interior design: like this new wall of wallpaper in the bathroom of my favourite bakery.

The Valley Bakery, KwaZulu-Natal (the bread is even better ;) Photo credit: Antonia Wadley

I love new lines of conversation and insights into people I’ve known for years. I love the feel of deepening connections.

A simple prefix that helps a gratitude practice stick

There is something delicious about the prefix “I love” versus “I’m grateful for”.

I find the unanswered phrase ‘I love…’ popping up in the day and I delight in answering it.