Living in Gratitude

Continuing with our Year of Authenticity theme, today I’m thinking about and working towards the idea of living in gratitude. Living in Gratitude –  For out of a place of gratitude comes the ability to see all things for what they are. If you missed the blog post regarding our theme, check it out here: 2018 Is the Year of Authenticity. Our lives are busy. One way to work towards living authentically is to be grateful for what we have, including a busy schedule. After a weekend out of town, I worked on my fourth load of laundry. Although I

Living Life Gratefully is Living Life Authentically

My great-grandmother taught me the art of gratitude. She lived a very hard life, but through it all she was grateful. She always found the positive in everything and helped others see the positive in their lives as well. As we explore how to be authentic, I find myself thinking of her and what she taught me a lot. This quote from best-selling author Sarah Ban Breathnach is the perfect illustration of what effect gratitude can have on you. “You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance

Hearing vs. Understanding: The Art of Active Listening

One of my favorite active listening quotes comes from Stephen Covey, the author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, is: “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” The art of active listening isn’t easy, but it’s important. Last night my husband came home from work and walked through the door with that look on his face. The one that leaves no question about what kind of day he had and makes me wonder if I should even brave asking. I took a deep breath and dove in. He

4 Ways to Listen To Yourself

“Your life is always speaking to you. The fundamental question is: Will you listen?”  Oprah Last week, I declared 2018 the year of authenticity, outlining five things that need to be present for someone cultivate authenticity: listening, gratitude, acting out of joy instead of obligation, being vulnerable and avoiding comparison to others. Authentic means being real and true to your design. But how do we actually practice the things? I’m coming to believe you can’t practice any of them without first listening to yourself. And in order to listen to yourself or anyone else, you have to find quiet. The

The Essence of Authenticity

We’re talking about #authenticity here at The Point Blog. This poem captures the essence of advice for authentic living.   when it came to listening my mother taught me silence if you are drowning their voice with yours how will you hear them she asked   when it came to speaking she said do it with commitment every word you say  is your own responsibility   when it came to being she said be tender and touch at once your need to be vulnerable to live fully but rough enough to survive it all   when it came to choosing she asked me to