The attitude of gratitude is powerful one! When was the last time you took a moment to appreciate the positive in your life? When did you last slow down and recognize the simple pleasures all around you?

Even in the difficult times, the busy times, the uncomfortable times - there is light, beauty and joy to be found all around us, and so much to be grateful for.  Sometimes it is hard to see, life isn’t always living in the sunshine, but even in the darker times, we can be reminded that there is light shining somewhere - and the light will illuminate the darkness again.

Why gratitude?

Gratitude is simple. It is a beautifully simple practice that reminds us of the goodness of exactly what is. Gratitude can actually train our minds to focus on the positive, it can “flip the script” in our head and usher the good into the forefront. Gratitude helps us see the silver lining in many situations, where we might have been inclined to see only the negative.

An easy way to practice gratitude is to write down 3 things you are grateful for each day. Thinking about what are you grateful for is wonderful too, but putting pen to paper makes it a bit more real. It doesn’t take long but it makes a huge positive impact on your life! Like anything else that is a practice, it takes time to see the results in action, and these results are life changing.

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more." - Melodie Beattie

Why a giveaway?

I always say that I believe it is our mission, our calling, as artists to bring more beauty into the world. This can be through art in its physical form, and in the way we approach everything we do. My work is about more than just jewelry, it is about the story, the journey and the memory that each piece invokes. It's also about the energy and feeling that goes into each piece I make. When creating is a labor of love, that permeates the process and makes the finished piece that much more special. 

The Gratitude Giveaway is another way for me to share what I do, and bring more beauty, joy, and positivity into the world. Goodness, kindness, and gratitude really are infectious, and I'm doing my part to start that ripple effect! Let's keep it going…

“It’s like somebody dropping a pebble into a pond, and sending ripples out to the world…” - Michael Franti

Why a challenge?

This is your mission, should you choose to accept it! I think as humans we all respond to the idea of a challenge. I know I like to challenge myself just to see what is possible. It keeps us growing and evolving, and that is where the magic of life is!

Life is about responding to the prompts, seeing the opportunities that we are presented with and deciding what we are meant to do with them. The Gratitude Challenge is a short series of prompts that can have a significant impact on our personal happiness and outlook on the world!

This challenge is a personal one, there’s nothing to share or submit, just prompts for you to use and respond to if you wish. Prompts that will definitely get you thinking and get you moving in the direction of openness and gratitude. Sometimes we all need these prompts and reminders!

"You're Awesome," a note on my car mirror

This was one of the life “prompts” that inspired the Gratitude Giveaway and challenge. One day I walked to my car after work and found this on my rearview mirror. Such a seemingly simple thing, yet it changed my entire day. I wanted to share that feeling, to pay it forward, and I try to do this in my life as much, and as often as I possibly can.

The Gratitude Challenge:

It's like a mental re-set! The Gratitude Challenge will shift your mindset and your perspective! Now just imagine what it can do if you do it for more than 3 days... 

And don't forget to enter the Gratitude Giveaway! CLICK HERE TO ENTER.