Gratitude Expert: Lori Saitz
In his book “Think and Grow Rich,” Napoleon Hill wrote about imaginary Council meetings with a group he called his “Invisible Counselors.”
His council included nine individuals whose lives and work Hill admired, such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Thomas Edison and Abraham Lincoln. He would “meet” with this imaginary group every night for the exclusive purpose of “rebuilding (his) own character so it would represent a composite of the characters of (his) imaginary counselors.”
Gratitude Council To Help You Become More Grateful:
You’ve heard it before; if you want to soar like an eagle, you have to hang out with eagles, not turkeys. So if you want to live a more grateful life, then it makes sense to surround yourself with people who recognize the importance of gratitude in their lives. What if you created a “Gratitude Council” to help you become more grateful?
One way to do this is to create a list of nine to twelve people who have inspired you to bring more gratitude into your life or who have set a good example for you in that regard. Think of your friends, family, world, religious, or business leaders, artists, etc. They don’t necessarily have to still be in physical form in this world and you don’t have to know them personally. Maya Angelou comes to mind. Elizabeth Gilbert, Arianna Huffington, Deepak Chopra, or Mindy Kaling could make it onto your list.
“Ask them how to transform your view of detour and delay into an understanding of divine timing..”
Circle Of Wisdom And Support:
Now connect with them energetically and create this awesome circle of wisdom and support. In what aspects are you choosing to grow and expand your awareness? What is it about each of your council members that you respect and admire, specifically? Think about and thank them for their character and grateful acts you would like to emulate.
Allow them to guide you on your journey of a gratitude-filled life. When you are faced with a challenging situation, where appreciation is not your first, or even your fifth most forthcoming emotion, turn to the council. Ask them how to see the gift within the challenge. What are you not seeing that would help you better respond with thankfulness? Ask them how to transform your view of detour and delay into an understanding of divine timing.
Hill said, “On scores of occasions when I have faced emergencies, some of them so grave that my life was in jeopardy, I have been miraculously guided past these difficulties through the influence of my Invisible Counselors.”
Open Your Mind And Heart To Hear Your Counselors:
Sometimes I’m asked how to distinguish your own thoughts or imagination from the words or messages from the counselors. Sit quietly for a few moments. Some people like to put on “spa-type” music to help themselves get into the right mind-state while others prefer complete silence. Set the intention to clear the channels of communication. Open your mind and your heart to hear your counselors. Picture them sitting and talking with you, individually or as a group. Whatever you “imagine” them to say to you is really what they are saying to you.
The more you consult with your Gratitude Council, the more adept you will become at appreciating your surrounding circumstances. You will go to gratitude more quickly and be better able to respond appropriately rather than react. And you will find yourself feeling happier and more content. In due time, you’ll be the inspiration for others and perhaps they’ll ask you, energetically, to join their Gratitude Council and help them on their journey.
About the Author:
Lori Saitz loves sharing the power of gratitude and meditation with entrepreneurial professionals who hire her to help them boost business success and achieve life goals faster – without working harder. She is the CEO of Zen Rabbit, host of the podcast “FINE is a 4-Letter Word,” and a sought-after speaker. When she’s not working, you can find Lori in the weight room at the gym, because she also loves baking and eating. See more at the Zen Rabbit website and connect with her on LinkedIn.
