Although the title of this video is Jessica’s ‘Daily Affirmation’, we see it as a video of a little kid counting blessings. Not only does she list the stuff she has, she really LOVES it. Her fierce, slightly-playing-to-the-camera soliloquy is quite a celebration of the GREAT ordinary.

We find that counting blessings, though seemingly New-Agey, works: the practice changes your view from NOT (“enough”…”able”…”worthy”..) to appreciating the A LOT that’s there already, that has the potential to be used in different ways, to support what we want to do…

Don’t take our word for it. There are many studies that affirm this idea including one published in Journal of Personal Psychology and Social Psychology called Counting Blessings Versus Burdens: An Experimental Investigation of Gratitude and Subjective Well-Being in Daily Life:

“The effect of a grateful outlook on psychological and physical well-being was examined… The gratitude-outlook groups exhibited heightened well-being across several, though not all, of the outcome measures across the 3 studies, relative to the comparison groups. The effect on positive affect appeared to be the most robust finding. Results suggest that a conscious focus on blessings may have emotional and interpersonal benefits.”

How do you count blessings? Just look around and name what’s in your life that you’re glad to have. Like Jessica does…HOUSE…HAIRCUT…COUSINS…

You can do it anywhere, anytime, in secret or out loud…it’s a good subway practice when you’ve got nothing to read…

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3 replies on “how to see what’s there

  1. here’s to gratitude and its benefits. thanks for posting this, Sally

  2. it never ceases to amaze me how much we can learn from children if only we take a moment to stop and smell the roses.

    Thanks to my girlfriend for passing on inspiration in another form, yet again.

    Keep it coming.

    Greatful 🙂

  3. gratitude is not new agey, gratitude has been around since the beginning of time. it is interesting to note how difficult it seems to be to move firmly in that direction. the expression of gratitude is a powerful tool in feeding the inner soul and an excellent antidote for negativity and depression. the soul always yearns for fulfillment and light. gratitude reflects that. i have been a psychotherapist and now am a spiritual director. that means i walk with people on their journey to heal and refresh their unique individual soul. jessica rocks! suzy lowinger

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