Today’s Appreciative Narrative moment comes from Chapter 2 of The Joy of Appreciative Living by Jacqueline Kelm
In Appreciative Inquiry, the first principle is the Constructionist Principle; its essential idea is that we continuously create or construct stories about what is happening in our lives. The reality we experience is completely subjective, and it is seen through the unique lenses and filters through which we view the world.
James Branch Cabell said “The optimist proclaims we live in the best of all possible worlds, and the pessimist fears this is true.” What world do you live in? A better question may be: what world do you want to live in?
Think back on yesterday and name three things you are grateful for.
This could be a conversation… a moment of success… a moment of joy...
Feel free to pause
What was your role in making these moments
Finally: What’s one thing you could do today, no matter how small, that will bring you joy?
This could be lunch with a friend, a walk around the block, curling up with a good book…
Quote from one of Jaqualine Kelm’s study participants:
“The possibilities for framing a day are endless. If we don’t make a conscious effort to decide... if we leave it up to the winds... it’s like seaweed in the ocean. It goes wherever the current takes it. We need to make conscious choices and deliberately frame our day.”
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