I worked for several years on an all-consuming project at work.  When it was time to come back to my life, I was burned out from being overwhelmed then surrounded with silence.  Even though I was disoriented, these writing exercises helped me find my way back.  Use these exercises to challenge your current conditions and find more in your present.

Exercise 1: Past Performance
What did you once fear?  What did you have to learn to overcome it?  When did you doubt your abilities, but pressed ahead anyway and succeeded?  List a few of these victories to get you started, then write about one time when you challenged and defeated your own limiting status quo.  What were the circumstances?  What were the steps?  What did you gain?  What did you learn?  Who did you meet along the way?  How did your success feel?

Exercise 2: I would be happy (happier) if only…
What are constraints and conditions that you place on your happiness?  For example, I would be happier if my co-worker wasn’t such a jerk.

Exercise 3: The Best Things in Life are Free!
What are the moments, experiences, things you received for free or gave away freely?  Think of kind words, acknowledgement, recognition, laughing, gifts, favors, prizes…

Exercise 4: Don’t forget to say thank you…
Gratitude brings us into the present.  Be present and say “thank you” by listing all that you are grateful for in this moment. 

“A grateful heart is like a magnet drawing toward it a wealth of abundance.” – Cheryl Richardson    

Again, I would love to hear how these exercises work for you.  See you next month!