Mindful Gratitude Exercise #10: Gratitude While Doing Something New

"Learning to live in the present moment is part of the path of joy."
-Sarah Ban Breathnach

Make an effort to seek out activities that you have never experienced before, like skydiving or bungee jumping, or a new roller coaster at a local theme park. 

Or, if you prefer things a little less extreme, try something small, but still new to you.  Take a different route to a destination, eat on a different plate, sleep on a different side of the bed, watch a new television program. 

While engaged in the new activity, constantly look for reasons to be grateful.  Like, for example, if you choose to watch a new TV program, and you see someone get into a screaming match with one of their loved ones (a very common sight these days!), that could remind you to be grateful that you and your significant other's relationship does not include similar fights.  

Or perhaps the program is dealing with some problem that you have never had and probably never will have to deal with, like drug addiction, or trying to lose 500 pounds, or eating Ajax (ahem, Strange Addictions!).  These are all reasons to be thankful!

As human beings, when we do things that we have never done before, it is natural for us to stay focused and pay attention.  Therefore, doing something new is a great way to keep your mind fresh and connected to the present moment.  Try it, you'll see--it is much easier to "Be Here Now" when you are engaged in something new, interesting, or different.

Let me know the new things you try!  I'd love to know what they are, and some things you noticed to be grateful for as a result of doing them.