Two People on a Mission of Gratitude and Thankfulness Share Their Vision with the World

(Oxford, CT   – May 10, 2010) – In today’s economy many people are having a hard time trying to find things to be grateful for.  People are losing their jobs, losing their homes, and finding it difficult to pay their bills.

Dave Block, from www.mygratitudelife.com, was in this situation.  He was facing foreclosure and unemployment.  Instead of being part of the problem, Dave chose to take action and be part of the solution.

“I want to set an example for others to follow that will inspire people to have vision, purpose and faith.”  Block said.  “I want to encourage people to take action toward their own personal goals through cultivating a habit of gratitude.”

In 2009 Dave started the “Gratitude Tour.”  Dave and his “Grat Pack” embarked on this journey that included random acts of kindness and encouraging a community of gratitude making joyful contributions to society. 

The 2010 “Gratitude Tour” kicks off on May 13^th in Miami and will include stops in Orlando, Cocoa Beach,  Atlanta, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, NYC, and ending in New Haven, CT on May 21^st. 

Dave has used the power of social media to spread the word about his mission.  He and Deanna Collins, creator of the Gratitude Jewelry Collection and the Gratitude Circle (http://www.thegratitudecircle.net), connected this way. 

“I’m really excited to network with other individuals working to share the power of a life lived in gratitude,” Dave said.  “I am happy to be able to connect with people like Deanna along the way so I can also help support the work she is doing with the Gratitude Circle.”

“Gratitude and being appreciative is a concept that really resonates with millions of people right now,” Collins said. “People are growing tired of the gloom and doom scenario and are longing to connect in a more meaningful way.”

Research has shown that there are tremendous health benefits to living a life full of gratitude.  The Research Project on Gratitude and Thankfulness, conducted by Robert Emmons (University of California-Davis) and Michael McCullough (University of Miami) has shown that grateful people have higher levels of positive emotion, life satisfaction, vitality, optimism and lowers levels of depression and stress.

“It becomes really clear to see the incredible impact something as simple as a regular practice of gratitude and thankfulness can have on your well being.”  Collins noted.

Dave will be filming a video during the 2010 Gratitude Tour with the objective of showcasing the gratitude community of the world.  Block and Collins will connect when the 2010 Gratitude Tour makes its last stop in New Haven, CT on Friday, May 21^st.

Dave Block, aka “Dave, the Gratitude Guy” is an emerging entrepreneur on a mission to spread the message of the importance of having daily gratitude around the world. Dave developed the Gratitude Ball, which once held in your hand and squeezed is a powerful reinforcement tool.  It’s a gentle reminder to feel positive energy—putting you in the right state of mind immediately. He is also the creator of the Gratitude Tour, a way to embrace and share the feelings brought about by a life lived in Gratitude. Dave is filming a video during the 2010 Gratitude Tour that will showcase the Gratitude community to the world.  The main purpose of this tour is to be surrounded by positive people, learn from their experiences, inspire others, and make a needed contribution to society. Dave wants to show what people are doing to make a difference in their lives and the people around them. His vision is to educate people about the true value of Gratitude and how making this decision to be grateful is the key to opening the doors of happiness.  For more information, please visit www.mygratitudelife.com

Deanna Collins, a life coach and jewelry designer, founded the Gratitude Collection in 2007.  The Gratitude Circle, the online community for the Gratitude Collection, aims to become the premiere online resource for inspiration and merchandise that cultivate a positive outlook on life and create opportunities for people to share their personal stories of gratitude.  Deanna is proud to showcase Kazuri beads in the collection.  Kazuri, a fair trade organization, provides employment for several hundred needy people, especially women.  It has created a source of income for many women who would otherwise have had few options to provide for themselves and their families, including many women with disabilities, single mothers, and women widowed by the Aids epidemic that has swept through Africa. To learn more about the Gratitude Collection, visit www.thegratitudecircle.net.  For more information about Deanna go to www.deannacollins.com.

It is important to realize that expressing gratitude does not have to be complicated.

Gratitude simply expresses your appreciation and shows the respect you have for others so keep it simple.  It doesn’t have to be extravagant or cost money – just express it and you will reap the wave of benefits. It just feels good!

By focusing on an attitude of gratitude, you will truly feel the power of giving and receiving.

Here are Five Ways to Express Gratitude:

1.    Keep it simple. Instead of thinking about how best to express your thanks, just say it.  Tell the person “Thank you” or “I appreciate it” and let that be the end of it.  Gratitude is something that can be easily expressed just as long as it’s genuine.  Expressing gratitude is as important as anything else in your relationships because it builds trust and respect.

2.    Write a letter. Sometimes the best thing we can do is use the power of the written word to express our thanks.  Get a thank you card or a piece of stationary and write a letter. It’s one of the most personal ways of expressing gratitude nowadays, especially since few people take the time to write by hand.  Again, you can keep it simple by letting the person know that you appreciate them.  You can hand deliver the letter or drop it in the mail so it can be a nice surprise in between the stack of junk mail and bills.

3.    Give a gift. When someone does something nice for you, a nice way to express your appreciation is to give a small “thank you” present.  This doesn’t have to be anything costly or extravagant, just something that shows that you appreciate what they have done for you.  For instance, you might give a coffee lover a small gift certificate to their favorite coffee shop, or buy a chocolate lover a gourmet piece of chocolate. It’s a simple gesture that can go a long way.

4.    Return the favor. If someone has done something nice for you, a simple way to show your appreciation is to return the favor by giving your time.  For instance, if someone has helped you during a time of need, see how you can help them – Do they have a project around the house that they need some help on?  Do they have children? – Maybe you could babysit so they can have a night out?  Are they homebound?—Maybe you could run an errand for them?  This lets them know you appreciate them and what they have done for you.

5.    Tell others. In the presence of the person or people you wish to thank, share your gratitude with others.  Public forms of gratitude are important because it shows just how much you appreciate and care for others.

Gratitude is an important part of all relationships, so today, let go and simply say “Thank you!” to all those around you!

It’s a big month as we start the official holiday season next week.  It seems that everyone tends to feel extra grateful this time of year, which is fabulous!

You may have seen this cross your social media path lately:

“Let’s see how many people can do this. Everyday this month, until Thanksgiving, think of one thing that you are thankful for and post it as your status. “Today I am thankful for….” The longer you do it, the harder it gets! Now if you think you can do it then repost this message as your status to invite others to take the challenge, then post what YOU are thankful for today.”

This is a really fun exercise and I think it’s really cool when I log on and see so much gratitude being shared.  Even finding one simple thing daily to be grateful for, can make such a difference.  It doesn’t have to be big – start small with one thing daily.  Write it in a journal, put it on a post it note, post it on Twitter, Facebook or your social media of choice.  It becomes a virtual ripple of gratitude – which is very powerful!

Today I am grateful for another beautiful walk to start my Monday morning and am energized with the opportunities that lie ahead this week!

How about you?  Post a comment with your gratitude declaration and help be the ripple!

It’s given me a lot to think about as I am sure it’s done the same for you.  Even as a positive thinker, I struggle at times with negativity.  It’s an awful feeling that creeps in sometimes when you are the most vulnerable.  Over worked?  Tired? Not Feeling Well?  Stressed? These are all things that allow that little bug of negativity to pop in and cause havoc in your life.  Well, life is life (or as I say a lot – “It is what it is…”) and certainly these things mentioned above aren’t going to go away and are bound to crop up in your life from time-to-time.

The real nugget here is how you manage them.  I’ve said time and time again in various places that it’s all about attitude and mindset. With the right attitude and the right mindset we can do just about anything.

I have been challenged a lot in the past few years and 2009 ranks up there.  Honestly, I will be happy to finish out 2009 and look forward to the promise of 2010 (not that I’m rushing the time, believe me!)  I know what gets me through each day is my positive attitude and my determined mindset.  Sure, I can be derailed from time-to-time because things happen (that’s life) and sometimes things don’t pan out the way that I see them.  I always try to challenge myself to look for even the smallest shred of positive that I can take away from a negative experience to turn it around.

We’ve all heard that “things happen for a reason.” It’s so very true!

When Judy and I first started the Gratitude Collection back in early 2007, we were thrilled to participate in a product search with QVC in conjunction with Oprah Winfrey.  We were thrilled – the Universe put this tremendous opportunity right in our laps!  We were very proud of our “pitch” and knew we did the best job that we could.  We knew that if it was meant to be at that moment in time that it would happen and if not we were okay with that.

Well, if you haven’t heard the story, we didn’t get picked.  For the first time in my life, though – I wasn’t disappointed! I couldn’t believe it – it was such an incredible feeling!  We knew some way and somehow our little brand would get to where it needs to be and at that point in time, this avenue wasn’t it.  I still believe that from the bottom of my toes and continue on its path today.

We all have a choice and today, if you have not done so already, I challenge you to “choose positive.” If you have chosen positive – keep it up, you are doing a great job! Know that life happens and you have all the tools you need to manage that pesky little critter of negativity.

In gratitude,

I hope you enjoy reading it.  I will be back later in to make some comments on it.

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Negativity always finds a way to creep up in your life from time to time even for those of us who are already positive thinkers. It’s when negativity builds up too much or shows up too often that you have an obstacle to overcome.

A negative attitude can hold you back from truly living your life. However, you don’t need to feel stuck because you can bring positive thoughts back into your life!

How Negativity Can Hold You Back

Negativity can hold you back in a number of ways. Have you heard the saying: “If you think you can’t, you’re right.” It’s true!  Negative thoughts like this really do sabotage your efforts.

The good news is that you can gain control over how you think.  When you’re expressing complaints and negativity all the time, it not only affects you, but it also affects the people around you.  Negativity, itself, can be the reason why you create roadblocks that don’t really exist! So it’s time to choose the positive (and, yes, it is a choice!)

Manifesting A Positive Attitude

When you adopt a positive attitude, you open yourself up to the wonderful world of possibilities. When positive energy is in the air, you’ll be able to transform your negative feelings and maybe even bring others out of their negativity clouds.

Believe it or not, positive thinking is very powerful. It’s the driving force that steers your life into the direction of your dreams. Remember, your thoughts affect how you feel, and how you feel affects what you do, so if you can change your thoughts, you can change your outcome.

How To Develop A Positive Attitude

How can you change your attitude? It’s easier than you think.

Follow these tips to develop a positive attitude:

1. Visualize. When the negative thoughts come crawling into your mind, transform them with positive images. Visualize something that you find pleasing, peaceful, or exciting. Remember what your ultimate goals are and imagine what it feels like to achieve them.

2. Write it down. Keeping a journal has many positive effects. It helps you vent your frustrations, organize your life, and reflect on your innermost thoughts and feelings. Instead of focusing on the bad, use your journal to chronicle the things that have gone well in your life lately.

3. Relax. Negative feelings are bound to arise when you’re in a stressful state. It’s important to take time out of each day for yourself. This means that you need to adopt a relaxation method that works for you. Perhaps you can take a bath, go to church, attend a yoga class, or meditate. When you’re relaxed, a peaceful and positive mindset will likely overtake you.

4. Read and write affirmations. Grab a book with positive affirmations in it, or better yet, write your own. Affirmations are a powerful way to bring positive thoughts into your present state of well being. Affirmations are short statements in the present tense that remind you of positive attributes and goals in your life. Here’s an example: “I am strong and competent.”

5. Live for the moment. Live your life for the moment and let go of everything else going on in your life. Negative feelings can easily overwhelm you if you’re consumed by past failures or the fear of the future. When you concentrate on the present, your life becomes more peaceful and positive.

In the end, go easy on yourself. You don’t need to be your own worst critic, instead, try being your biggest advocate!  Just concentrate on your well being and you will develop a more positive attitude.

How do you feel when someone sincerely expresses his or her gratitude to you for something you did?  Doesn’t it make you feel good about yourself?  These positive feelings can lift you up, boost your enthusiasm, and motivate you to achieve even more.

Feeling grateful for what you have can produce the same good feelings and sustain your drive toward your goals.

This shows how gratitude can have some seriously positive snowball effects.

Here are some of the benefits of gratitude:

1. Reaching your goals. When you feel grateful, it tends to be a lasting and selfless feeling.  It’s much more than just a momentary burst of positive energy; it has staying power that will provide a great boost for you to reach your goals.

* When you express your gratitude to others, ensure that you’re open and expressive. People don’t know what you’re thinking; hearing it can make all the difference.

2. Strengthened relationships. There are many ways you can express your gratitude to your loved ones, including saying, “Thank you,” writing a letter, or giving them a thoughtful gift.  When you learn to avoid taking your loved ones for granted, you’ll have a long lasting and loving relationship.

* Showing gratitude is a two way street.  Learn how to effectively express your gratitude and, just as importantly, to receive it as well.

3. Improved communication. Gratitude can mean better communication all around.  By expressing your gratitude to strangers, they’ll be more likely to show an interest in helping you, too.

* Gratitude is such a powerful entity that it can even help you communicate with your pets!  They should be appreciated too.

4. More effective constructive criticism. No matter how we express constructive criticism, it often makes the recipient defensive or even angry.  No one likes a blow to the ego.  In this situation, a grateful attitude can take you a long way.  You can express criticism quite effectively when you also emphasize what you appreciate about them.

5. Preserving memories. You can preserve memories in a positive way when you keep a gratitude journal.  You’ll be able to enjoy your memories again and again when you read about these happy times in the future.

Show Your Gratitude Every Day

Showing gratitude to others may seem like a selfless act, but it’s something that you also benefit from.  When you show your gratitude every day, you change the way you think.

You’ll appreciate your good life when the majority of your thoughts remain positive.  Negative thoughts can sometimes be overwhelming, and just because you have them doesn’t mean you’re a bad person.  They happen to everyone, but you can strive to keep them to a minimum with the help of a grateful attitude.

One way to show your gratitude every day is to remind yourself of the big picture when a negative thought arises.  If a petty argument with your spouse makes you feel angry and heated, take a deep breath and think for a moment.  Remember that the argument is not permanent and, instead, feel grateful for the gift of this relationship.

We need to value our time here on earth and make the best of each and every day.

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Being grateful for where I am forges the path to where I want to be.

I make a conscious effort to give thanks for all good things in my life. The more I show my gratitude, the more good things I receive to be thankful for!

When I awake in the morning, I give thanks for the new day. The good feelings I generate start my day in a perfect way, and I find that one good thing leads to another. This positive boost helps me fly through my daily tasks with energy and momentum.

I thank my spouse for the things he does for me. This makes him feel loved and appreciated and he goes out of his way to do even more for me. It becomes a never-ending cycle of love!

I find things to thank my daughter for every day. When she does a good job on anything, I thank her for her effort, motivating her to continue. My happiness is even greater when I see her, too, discovering the joys of gratitude and telling others, “Thank you.”

As my day goes on, I thank my customers for their business. In return, I receive their loyalty and friendship.

I thank my friends for being there for me. They’re always there to lend a helping hand and cheer me on.

I realize that even the challenges of my day arise for good reason and I’m grateful for the lessons I learn from these obstacles. Invariably, my challenges bring me closer to my goals, in one way or another, as I seek solutions.

Today, I strive to feel gratitude, enjoy it, and let it show in how I treat others.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Do I let myself feel and enjoy gratitude and its benefits?
2. How has showing someone my gratitude brought me something good in return?
3. How can I show my gratitude more often?

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Do you need a tangible reminder during the day as you cultivate your practice of gratitude? The Gratitude Collection, inspirational jewelry and apparel that reflects the benefits of positive thinking and gratitude, is the perfect reminder to wear with you during the day and keep you on track as you grow your daily practice.

Here’s what one customer says about wearing The Gratitude Collection:

I wear pieces from the Gratitude Collection as a constant reminder of the good in my life. I think of their deep seated meaning for me and for so many others.  Life is good.  Deanna and The Gratitude Collection help to remind of this.

Dorothy from Connecticut

Even though I have enjoyed my quality time with my daughter and our summer of fun and chaos, I am thrilled to be back to the routine and getting work done.

I have plenty to blog about, so you will probably read a lot from me, especially in the next week.

A new newsletter will be published this week with some really great inspirational stories and tips.  Are you on the list?  If not, click here to sign up.

In gratitude,

P.S.  Have you checked out our sale yet?  In honor of back to school, I am extending the sale another week – don’t miss out!  The Gratitude Collection Sale

Two Businesswomen Meet Through Twitter and Form an Alliance of Gratitude

(July 27, 2009) – In today’s economy, you might think that appreciation, or the concept of being grateful for all that you have despite what you’ve lost, might be a tough sell. Well, you would be wrong.

Two women entrepreneurs, who found each other a few months ago on Twitter of all places, are now working together to promote their gratitude based businesses. Lori Saitz’s company makes The Gratitude Cookie™ www.GratitudeCookie.com. Deanna Collins is known for the Gratitude Collection©, an inspirational line of jewelry and apparel devoted to gratitude www.thegratitudecircle.net.

“Gratitude, being appreciative, and recognizing the good in life is a concept that resonates with millions of people right now,” says Collins, co-founder of JDDesigns, which makes The Gratitude Collection. “From a spiritual standpoint, people are tired of the gloom and doom and are longing to connect in a more meaningful way.”

“Most people KNOW that feeling grateful is a key to success,” explained Saitz, founder and chief executive of Zen Rabbit Baking Company. “The challenge is calling up that feeling when you’re stuck in traffic, paying the bills and generally living your daily life. Companies that help people tap into that grateful place on a more regular basis are doing very well right now.”

In her book, “Thank You Power: Making The Science Of Gratitude Work For You,” Deborah Norville talks about her belief that life is about having “meaningful connections with the people around us.” When you do something for someone else, you feel good, they feel good and the chain of gratitude continues.  It’s a ripple effect – Saitz and Collins couldn’t agree more and see that in the impact their businesses have helping to create that ripple of gratitude.

A practice of gratitude, which seems like such a simple concept, can have tremendous benefits.

Robert Emmons (University of California – Davis), editor in chief of the Journal of Positive Psychology, says in his book “Thanks! How the New Science of Gratitude Can Make You Happier” that simply keeping a gratitude journal for as little as three weeks can result in better sleep and more energy.

The Research Project on Gratitude and Thankfulness, conducted by Emmons and Michael McCullough, (University of Miami) has shown that grateful people have higher levels of positive emotion, life satisfaction, vitality, optimism and lower levels of depression and stress.

“It’s really obvious the incredible impact an attitude of gratitude has on your well being,” Collins noted.

“We see it everyday in our work – sharing gratitude, it’s importance and the effect it has on those who feel it, believe it, and share it,” says Saitz.

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Zen Rabbit Baking Company, founded in 2003 by Chief Executive Rabbit Lori Saitz, makes the world famous Gratitude Cookie™ and Zen Crunch™. The company exists to educate people about the power of gratitude and inspire them to express appreciation for their valued relationships throughout the year. Zen Rabbit supports the efforts of organizations making a difference in worldwide literacy and animal welfare through the donation of a percentage of profits. To sign up for F.R.E.E. “Gratuities-Tips on Bringing More Joy to Your Life” and learn more about The Gratitude Cookie™ visit www.GratitudeCookie.com or www.RabbitRouser.com.

JDDesigns, creator of the Gratitude Collection, was founded in 2007 by Deanna Collins.  The Gratitude Circle, the online community for the Gratitude Collection, aims to become the premiere online resource for inspiration and merchandise that cultivate a positive outlook on life and create opportunities for people to share their personal stories of gratitude.  JDDesigns is proud to showcase Kazuri beads in the collection.  Kazuri, a fair trade organization, provides employment for several hundred needy people, especially women.  It has created a source of income for many women who would otherwise have had few options to provide for themselves and their families, including many women with disabilities, single mothers, and women widowed by the Aids epidemic that has swept through Africa. To receive your FREE e-course on “Creating a Practice of Gratitude,” the Gratitude Circle Newsletter and learn more about the Gratitude Collection, visit www.thegratitudecircle.net