[COPY] The Daily G.I.F.T. from The GratiDude

Use your breathing to slow down when you meet new people. Try to FEEL how they feel. Feel me?

www.grateful4.org

Gratitude

Intention

First

Things

The G.I.F.T. Today

Grateful: for my mornings with my teenagers, they will be gone soon but never forgotten, ha ha.

Intention-mantra of feeling my feet connected to the center of the Earth’s energy. Because they are.

First-follow up roberto and Ricardo

Things-short 3 slide G4G philanthropy model

Morning Meditation from The GratiDude

It’s such an important concept that it deserves further examination.  This is the reminder and the notion that we never could utterly understand what other people might be going through in their own lives. Below the surface.

I’m guilty of this myself, as it is so easy to see people actively living their lives and because their outward appearance and how they are carrying themselves and perhaps dressed, makes them appear absolutely healthy and normal from a society perspective. We don’t yet have x-ray vision that can see emotions and through clothing and into people’s hearts, all we are seeing is the outer shell or the most superficial parts of the human being that we are looking at or encountering.

I have mentioned this in my writing previously however I have had conversations with golf industry leaders that met me back in the 90s and they always assumed I was a Silver spoon California kid that had it made and never had to put in the work or to struggle in my coming up.

I’m sure a big part of that perception was that I wanted people to have and that perception so I put it out there and that people believed my subconscious bullshit without being able to see what was really going on inside me.

But it’s more than just what people have been through and what’s going on, it really comes down to how they are experiencing their life and what stories they are telling themselves.  Let me explain further.

As my mentor in mindfulness the cosmically, beautiful, and wonderful Dr. LJ Rose tells anyone that will listen that life isn’t what happens to you, but instead life becomes the stories that you tell yourself.  Hard truths about how our mind and invisible programming impacts our thoughts and reality.

Marinate on that one and reread it a few times because that is as real as the day is long. 

So, for example, the narratives and the way that we talk to ourselves, and our internal dialogue, create the music and the backdrop for our emotions that we then create from those thoughts.  

When you architect a proclivity towards positivity through consistent neuroscientific practice using self-affirmations and positive self-talk, and the energetic spirit of abundance in the form of gratitude, appreciation, and recognition, you have a propensity to see things in a positive way.  

I got up a few minutes ago to go blow my nose and I found a paper towel that one of my kids had left on the counter and the way I perceived that paper towel was if it was set out for me for this very moment, knowing that I would suddenly have a runny nose and need to blow my nose.  Thanks for putting this here when I needed it when I wanted it once again thank you for this life is incredible. I really appreciate it.

I didn’t always think this way.

Nope.

When I was drinking heavily at night regularly for about a dozen years, I had anxiety regularly, but ALWAYS put on a smile and a good front to the outside.

While not everyone hides their suffering, a significant portion of people do tend to conceal their struggles to some degree, often due to social stigma, fear of judgment, or not wanting to burden others, which means that “most people” might not be an accurate statement, but it is a common phenomenon across various situations and demographics. 

Key points to consider:

“Smiling depression”:

This term describes individuals who outwardly appear happy while internally experiencing significant depression, highlighting how people can effectively mask their suffering. 

Fear of vulnerability:

Sharing personal struggles can make people feel exposed and vulnerable, leading them to hide their pain. 

Social expectations:

Societal pressure to appear strong and capable can discourage people from openly discussing their difficulties.

Because I’m present and not thinking about future stuff or past stuff I’m constantly looking for signs and opportunities to verify that I am on my path and that the work that I am doing is moving myself and the movement in the right direction.  

My breathing is what allows me to be here NOW and to not end up in some thoughts of anxiety when I start holding my breath, or get inconsistent in my breathing patterns.

You will learn more about that when you take our coaching programs through the grateful organization, and we reveal the secrets and the wisdom of breath, work, instructors, yogis, and others that will help us become more appreciative and thoughtful around our breathing practices. They are all Super Sherpas!

This dude here in the video appears physically healthy yet reveals that he’s lost feeling below his waist after having been shot during combat while serving in one of the armed forces for the United States.