Weekly Challenge - People in your life #52

Happy Monday everyone.

I did it, this is my first attempt at writing two newsletters per week. I’m not saying I will sustain it, but it’s an attempt.

I’m currently thinking of using the Monday newsletter as a challenge or task, something to give practical help.

So today we’re looking at something which might appear similar at first, but it’s not.

Gratitude (in people)

You might be familiar with a gratitude list, one where you list things you are grateful for.

It’s a common tool used in mindfulness, and also in things such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT).

And while it is great, sometimes the focus can be a bit mixed.

Some people think of things such as health or relationships - while others think of materialistic things such as an iPad, or the car they drive, or things which change almost randomly like the weather.

And there isn’t anything wrong with that, I just want the focus to be somewhere specific today.

(And perhaps when I’m out of ideas, our Monday task will be that gratitude list)

Instead, today we’re going to focus that on the connections to people, more specifically from the lessons, values and behaviours we have learned from others or admire in others.

Example

Meditations, which is a collection of journal entries from Marcus Aurelius, is broken down into ‘books’.

The first book sees Marcus listing the influential people in his life, and the qualities he gained or admired about them.

Here is 3 examples…

Of my grandfather Verus I have learned to be gentle and meek, and to refrain from all anger and passion. From the fame and memory of him that begot me I have learned both shamefastness and manlike behaviour.

Of my mother I have learned to be religious, and bountiful; and to forbear, not only to do, but to intend any evil; to content myself with a spare diet, and to flyall such excess as is incidental to great wealth.

Of Sextus, mildness and the pattern of a family governed with paternal affection; and a purpose to live according to nature: to be grave without affectation: to observe carefully the several dispositions of my friends, not to be offended with idiots, nor unseasonably to set upon those that are carried with the vulgar opinions,

Challenge

So today, and throughout the week I’d recommend we all do the same.

Think about the people who are in your life or have been in your life. Think about what you valued most about them. Think about what you learned from them. Think about the traits and characteristics you admire the most about them.

You can write them down if it helps, journaling is a great tool to use.

Or you can just think about people throughout the week.

Think of this as a gratitude list for people you know, or have known in the past.

Happy Monday everyone, hope you all have a great week ahead.

John