Thursday, July 11, 2019

Gratitude in THE PERFECT LAP: You can't be stressed when you're feeling blessed!



“You can’t be stressed when you’re feeling blessed!”
This quote is from The Perfect Lap, my recently released contemporary romance novel. In The Perfect Lap, Ella and AJ unexpectedly join forces to co-foster three children, and quickly learn they’re out of their league. They attend a New Age Parenting class, and one of the topics covered is gratitude.

Sometimes kids and adults make poor choices that lead to negative energy. How we respond makes all the difference. In The Perfect Lap, Ella, AJ, and the kids come up with a time-out word that any of them can call out. Once the word is said, they all take a few minutes of silence. During that time, they reflect on where they are mood-wise (energy-wise) and consider if that’s where they want to be. Often, after this pause, they each share a few gratitudes.

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures." - Thornton Wilder

Ella and AJ experienced positive results when practicing gratitude with the kids. Negativity disappeared, bad moods faded, and spirits were lifted. I've found the same results in my own life. Not surprising since it’s backed by science! Studies have shown when you’re feeling genuinely grateful, it’s impossible to at the same time feel angry, anxious, or any other negative emotion.

When we’re stressed, our minds and bodies are pummeled with strain. Blood flow redirects to muscles needed to fight or flee and brain functions are minimized. Physically, ongoing stress can cause a long list of health issues.

On the other hand, when we’re focused on our blessings, our minds and bodies are relaxed and we experience positive emotions like love, joy, and hope. Gratitude helps us fully experience happy moments in life, build strong relationships, improve health, and deal with hardships.

How can you bring more gratitude into your life? Let me count the ways…You can write your gratitudes in a journal, say them out loud, or recount them silently. You can share your gratitudes in a group setting like Ella and AJ did with the kids. The method doesn’t matter as much as the exercise. Practicing gratitude in any form connects you with the present moment, creates positive energy, and generates feelings of love and compassion.

This blog was written by Sedona Hutton, author of romance and women’s fiction novels with new age spirituality. 
The Perfect Lap—If you like bad boys with a heart of gold, strong women, and love stories with a spiritual twist, then you’ll adore this racing romance novel. To purchase, please click on this link: https://amzn.to/2VkXIkv

Cloud Whispers—The daughter she gave away. The family she always wanted. The journey to redefine her fate… To purchase this mind-expanding, award-winning novel, please click here: https://goo.gl/N9aC38

To sign up for Sedona Hutton’s Peace, Love, & Joy blog newsletter, please click here: https://www.sedonahutton.com/

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