Today I am excited to introduce a new feature for F.O.L.
When we set out to develop this blog, our concept was to inspire your creativity. But as we celebrate the end of our first year together, our readers have commented again and again that it is our support for each other that is most inspirational. As our relationships with each other and with our readers have developed, it's been easy to see that we all have a similar outlook on life - an appreciation for the beauty in our world, a meditative, peaceful approach, thoughtfulness about our bigger place here, and gratitude for our blessings. I thought about our little group here as I was reading about positivity recently. According to Melanie Greenberg, a psychologist who specializes in the mind-body connection,
"expressing gratitude.... opens the heart and activates positive emotion centers in the brain. Regular practice of gratitude can change the way our brain neurons fire into more positive automatic patterns. The positive emotions we evoke can soothe distress and broaden our thinking patterns so we develop a larger and more expansive view of our lives. Gratitude is an emotion of connectedness, which reminds us we are part of a larger universe with all living things."
Here at F.O.L. we would like to join the effort to encourage positivity and inspire gratefulness. Our new feature is called Focus on Gratitude. Our gratitude posts will be simple little gems - an image, maybe a quote, or a heartfelt moment - a brief reminder of the good that exists in this world where tragic events too often monopolize our attention. Our first gratitude posts are scheduled for January 16th and 30th, but after that, they will be occasional little surprises for your soul.
Just as there are random acts of kindness, we will present random acts of gratitude throughout the year whenever those feelings flow. We would love for you to do the same.
Anytime you are struck by the wonderfulness of your blessings, share them with us. Post them in Flickr, labelled F.O.G.
" We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures."
Thornton Wilder
16 comments:
Thank you, Carol, for introducing this wonderful idea. There is nothing like the practice of gratitude to help us focus less on ourselves and more on others and ultimately to see more beauty. There is so much goodness and beauty to be grateful for ... if only we take the time to look for it. This is going to be a great exercise for all of us!
Wonderful idea!! Gratitude can certainly change lives! During the month of November, I thought about and took a photo of one thing that I was grateful for each day. Some were small and some were huge. I was surprised at the difference it made during the busy holiday months! When things got stressful, I simply thought of one thing I could stop and give thanks for! I'm looking forward to the "grateful" posts and photos!
This is such a wonderful idea and you, my dear Carol, are the perfect person to have introduced it! Like Cathy, I spent November shooting something I was grateful for each day. So much better to search for the good rather than dwell on the not-so-good. As Cathy said, sometimes these things are small and sometimes they are big but there is always something to be grateful for. Looking forward to seeing what everyone posts while we Focus on Gratitude!
Having an attitude for gratitude is one I try to adhere to.
I love this and will put this idea to work!
Love your images.
Yes,Carol, thank you for introducing this idea. What a wonderful way to start the new year. And I see how fitting my post for tomorrow is!
It never seem like we say "Thank You" enough during our days. This is a lovely idea. ~ ~ ~ Katie
this is such a wonderful community such a wonderful intention to start with for the new year. looking forward to it! :)
How wonderful, Cathy - that's what we're after - I'm a big believer that it will help us all!
That's almost how I view photography - even if my day was crappy - there's always something beautiful out there to soothe my soul.
Who are you kidding - you have always put this concept to work - that's why we love you!
oh boy - I'll be looking!
i'm glad you see it that way - never want to be preachy - but we feel pretty strongly about it.
It really is a great community - glad youre part of it, Kelly.
What a great inspirational post! Cant wait to start the New Year with that very simple but sometimes forgotten gesture!
Thankyou Carol that is what I love about this community the frienship and encouragement is priceless...
Gratitude, something people often forget. We don't tell others enough the things that are in our heart...gratitude is something we need to be giving away daily, it's what makes my joy grow!
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