The Daily G.I.F.T. from The GratiDude

The more you give your best the more you have to give. Law #1 Sister.

www.grateful4.org

Gratitude

Intention

First

Things

The G.I.F.T. Today

Grateful: to be settling in to a rest and recouperation period that is necessary for everyone. #makelikeabear

Intention-can we make time move like molasses today with breath? let’s try

First-still need retreat update

Things-dinner planning tomorrow Chef GratiDude

Morning Meditation from The GratiDude

When I share my story using my poker chips to introduce folks to the opportunity of self-talk and self-love leveraging neuroscience, I usually start out by asking about Superman and why he chose to wear his costume that became his superhero outfit with the “S” on the chest.

I point out the fact(using data and referencing other superheroes to create credibility early on in my conversation) that Superman’s contemporary in the world of crime fighting, and at the Hall of Justice was known as Iron Man. Iron Man, without the iron suit, is simply Tony Stark, and depending on which Iron Man incarnation you choose could either be a one dimensional comic book dude that kind of looks like Ken from the Ken and Barbie fame, or, you’re locked into the new Iron Man from the movie series and you know that Iron Man is a cool ass hipster with a goatee that looks just like Robert Downey Jr. (Me and Robert Downey Jr. used to party in the same way however I never got caught wearing women’s clothing…. I said I never got CAUGHT).

Iron Man would not be able to help anyone except with some verbal advice in the case of an emergency if he did not have his metal suit on. It was his outfit that gave him his power.

Superman on the other hand could fly around buck-naked if he wanted to, not wearing a stitch of clothing because his power was inside his body, and he only wore the costume to conceal his identity(and his naked body of course).

So, the real question here is why did Superman hide his identity?

There are lots of answers and modern reactions to why, as obviously he didn’t want to just become another Instagram post and be hounded for selfie photos after returning from the sky and saving someone’s life.

The quest for anonymity was sending a message to all of us, and providing an example of behavior that we could actually model and do ourselves. Not the flying up in the sky and saving lives part, but the part about taking the gifts and the greatness that we all have inside of us and providing it for the benefit of others without seeking personal gain.

We also know that Superman was noticeably clear on where his power came from and knew that taking full credit for something that was simply a gift he had received would really be a dick move.

Superman(or Clark Kent) would see a baby falling from a building, change his clothes in a phone booth quickly(or a diaper changing station from Koala in 2025) and save the baby, change his clothes again like a Pamper, and come back and pretend like nothing ever happened.

One of the messages Superman is sending when he commits these brave acts and walks away in a selfless manner is perhaps to ask all of us to ponder what the world would look like if everybody simply gave away the very best that they have from the gifts that they ever received from a higher power?

If everybody got comfortable with stillness and took the time to appreciate and recognize their own personal gifts, they have from the universe and from the source of all light, love, energy and life, we could then look every single day for opportunities to share these gifts and then simply walk away.

Like giving someone a poker chip but demanding that they practice self-love and self-talk to keep it by saying “I’m going to bet on myself.”

And then I walk away.

Kevin Carpenter doesn’t matter at this point and was not a part of this conversation and my name never comes up.

Superman taught me that.

And when we give the absolute best that we have for the benefit of others, it reaffirms our own sense of purpose, and gives ourselves greater life satisfaction and contentment.

It is understood that sharing these gifts elevates others and improves the quality of the lives of others, and that is exactly the program that we ought to be carrying out if and when we are healthy and connected to our breath and our higher self.

The reaction that people have when they receive the authentic love in the form of us, sharing our gift is profound and straight from the heart, and it breaks down and false sense of separation that society tends to operate by.

When you assume interconnectedness and shared love between strangers, like this artist on the right, that feeling of love will be reciprocated and it manifests through the energetic expectation, more times than not.

Yes, sharing from the heart, which means expressing genuine feelings and thoughts with others, is considered good for your mental health as it fosters social connection, reduces stress, improves mood, and can boost self-esteem by creating a sense of vulnerability and allowing for deeper relationships.

Key points about sharing from the heart:

Positive social impact:

Sharing your thoughts and feelings can strengthen bonds with others, creating a sense of belonging and support which is crucial for mental well-being.

Stress relief:

Opening about your experiences can help alleviate the burden of bottled-up emotions, leading to reduced stress levels.

Emotional regulation:

By expressing your feelings, you can better understand and manage them, promoting emotional stability.

Increased empathy:

Sharing your vulnerabilities can encourage others to do the same, fostering empathy and deeper connections.

Self-esteem boost:

When you feel comfortable sharing your true self with others, it can lead to a positive sense of self-worth.

Important considerations:

Choose the right people:

Sharing personal information should be done with trusted individuals who can provide a supportive environment.

Be mindful of boundaries:

While sharing is beneficial, it’s important to respect your own boundaries and not overshare to the point of discomfort.

Seek professional help if needed:

If you are struggling with significant mental health challenges, sharing alone may not be enough, and seeking professional therapy is recommended.

What can we share today that is beautiful and from the heart?

What can we muster that is the absolute best of us to break off for a friend, a family member, or even a stranger, or a coworker and just walk away afterwards?

This is called planting seeds for trees that will never sit under, and it is a beautiful spiritual Johnny Appleseed practice that makes your heart expand and your life satisfaction increase.

Last day to run any type of errands, so knock that stuff out and I’m going to throw some things in a bag and get ready to visit Jam Master Jay and Charleston and my boy Miguel and his much better half Queen D up in North Carolina in between Christmas and New Year’s.

These are gifts to myself because what I cherish the most are not material things anymore, but the energy and time spent with people I love.

That’s what I treasure.

Because I love myself, and I know that self-care is the cornerstone of my ability to help others, I’m spending the money and taking the time to visit these people and by doing so I invest in myself, my community, and the entire universe.

That’s my end of the year Attitude of Gratitude.

EVERY DAY:

Love

and

Gratitude