Change Your Life By Giving Thanks

03/19/2003

Change Your Life By Giving Thanks

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase."
–Martin Luther King, Jr.

CHANGE YOUR LIFE BY GIVING THANKS

Naikan, the Japanese art of self-reflection, helps you change your life by giving thanks. As the March 2003 issue of Utne Reader (www.utne.com) reports, this art was developed in the 1940's by Ishin Yoshimoto, a devout Buddhist. Naikan is the art of looking inward, and appreciating others, by making lists based on three simple questions:

* What have I received from __________?
* What have I given to ____________?
* What troubles and difficulties have I caused _________?

According to the article by Laine Bergeson, "You might explore a relationship by filling in the blanks with one person's name. Or you can use these simple questions to contemplate everything you've given and received from people over the course of a day or a week. Each list you generate should be detailed including things often taken for granted....The goal is to reflect on these lists and thereby gain a more balanced view of reality."

Reflect on the quality of your program. Check out Taking Stock in the Exchange Bookstore.

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