Walking Into The Morning: The Daily Practice Of Gratitude For Another Day

 

I feel incredibly grateful to live in West Vancouver right by the ocean.  It is magical. Every morning, I lace my shoes and head out to the seawall. No music, no distractions, just the ocean and me.  I stop for a moment, take a deep breath in and almost feels like good ocean ions are dancing in my lungs.

 

As I walk, I listen. The waves brushing against the rocks, The birds calling out as they are saying good morning too.  The world slowly waking up to the new day.

 

Walking is not just the exercise It is a moving prayer. A quiet thank you. Each step is the reminder that I woke up today, that my legs work, my heart is beating.  I am here right now:  alive, breathing, witnessing another sunrise.

 

 

Some mornings are sunny, some grey.  Some rainy and cold. But every walk is a blessing.  A ritual of gratitude that grounds me before the day begins.

 

I do not need a perfect day. I just need this moment. And the seawall always gives it.

 

 

With the ocean beside me, and the sky above I truly notice the gift of another day.

 

 

 

 

AFFIRMATION

 

As I Take Each step, I Walk In Gratitude. Today Is A New Beginning. Today Is A  Sacred Opportunity To Live, Love, And Give Thanks.

With Love And Gratitude,

Aphroditi 

Living And Breathing Fitness: The Daily Practice Of Gratitude As My Lifeline

 

I live and breathe fitness.  It has been my biggest lifeline for most of my adult life.  My foundation of strength.  It keeps me grounded no matter what life throws my way.  Every day, I commit to this ritual not because I have but because it is the ultimate expression of my gratitude for my body and my discipline.

It starts with simple yet profound gesture taking the stairs down to the gym in my apartment building.  As I descend each step, I say aloud: Good Lord thank you for the gift of discipline! These words set the tone for everything that follows.  Discipline is a gift, not a burden.

It is the bridge between intention and action, and I never ever take it for granted.

 

Gym is not just a workout space it is my sanctuary.  From strength training to cardio I move with purpose, I am fully present, No distractions, Focused on the whole-body workout.

 

Core exercises are my favourite.  This is where mind and body come together in the most powerful way. I close my eyes and meditate. It is not just about crunches or planks. It is about feeling every muscle, every movement, every breath.  It is a reminder of how incredible the human body is, not just for its strength but for its ability to carry us through life, day after day.

 

It Is A Temple Of The Holy Spirit.

 

This daily ritual keeps me grounded, focused and strong physically, mentally, and emotionally as well. It is a reminder that true strength does not come from weights you lift, but from the discipline, gratitude and love you pour into every moment. 

 

So, here is my message to you: find your lifeline! Find something that makes you feel alive, connected, and powerful. And when you do find it, show up for it every day!

Live It! Honour It! Thank It!

 

The greatest gift we can give ourself it is the commitment to grow stronger, one step, one workout, one day, one hour at the time!

Stay Disciplined!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stay Strong!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stay Grateful!

AFFIRMATION

 

 

My Body Is A Vessel Of Strength And Gratitude. With Every Breath And Every Movement, I Honor The Life Flowing Through Me.

With Love And Gratitude,

Aphroditi 

Pressed With Purpose: The Daily Practice of Gratitude in the Ironing Board

Each morning, as the steam rises from my iron, I feel like something shifts, not just in my clothes but in my mindset. Ironing may seem like a mundane, insignificant task to many, but to me it is quiet ritual of order, intention, and gratitude.

 

There is something deeply comforting about this simple act of preparing my clothes for a day. As I glide the iron across each wrinkle, I feel like I am gently soothing out creases of my own thoughts. The heat, the steam, the rhythm, the repetitive strokes, it is almost meditative. I never rush; I allow the moment to ground me.

 

Ironing reminds me that I am showing up for myself. It tells the universe:  I care about how I present myself.  On my own terms, I am not waiting for the day to happen to me, I am preparing for it. Each top, each pair of slacks, each dress becomes a symbol of readiness, neatness, and self respect.  As the fabric transforms from wrinkled to smooth, so does my energy.

 

Ironing connects me to my mother.   I cherish the memory of our Sunday afternoons, when Mom and I ironed together, preparing clothes for whole week. We even ironed all the sheets and towels. Everything was so neat, so perfect.

 

Lots of people think about ironing as mundane chore.  I see it as daily practice presence and preparation. It is a reminder that beauty and order often begin with the smallest acts. In today’s world, in all the chaos, all the wars, all the evil disturbing as relentlessly, I still have a power to choose to pause, pause, breathe in the steam, stay present in the moment, and begin the day with the calm, clarity, self-respect and grace.  There is nothing more powerful than starting the day with feeling put together, inside out. It is a quiet act of love and gratitude for another day, for myself for the energy I want to bring to the world.

AFFIRMATION

 

 

Each Press Smooths Away The Wrinkles Of Yesterday. I Am Grateful For The Grace In Simple Tasks That Bring Beauty To My Day.

 

With Love And Gratitude,

Aphroditi 

My Mirror Ritual Of Love: The Daily Practice of Gratitude In Embracing Myself For Over 10 Years

 

Every morning after I step out of the shower, the mirror in my bathroom is steamed up and foggy. But to me, it is not just condensation, it is a canvas for one of the most powerful rituals of my life.

For over a decade now, I have been writing three simple words on that steamed-up glass:

“Aphroditi,

I love you unconditionally.”

And I draw a heart. Always. Then I look myself in the eyes and say it aloud. This might sound small, but this daily act has completely transformed my relationship with myself.

How It All Started

I began this ritual during one of my classic staycations at the Pinnacle Hotel in North Vancouver, my favorite little escape when I need to recharge. I remember it so clearly. I had just come out of the shower, the mirror was fogged up, and for the first time in a long time, I looked at myself and thought, “You need love from you.”

So, I wrote the words: “Aphroditi, I love you unconditionally.”

It felt a little awkward at first. But something in me softened. I drew a heart next to it, took a breath, and said it aloud. It was like hearing the words I had been longing for but coming from me. That moment sparked a daily ritual since which I have never skipped.

Why I Do It

This mirror ritual is more than just a feel-good moment, it is a sacred practice that helps me ground myself, especially on the tough days. And trust me, I have had many. But no matter what is happening in my life, whether I am prepping for a stand-up show, hosting an episode of Wellness Fridays With Aphroditi, or just figuring out if I can afford to Uber or need to take the bus again, I show up for this practice.

Here is what it has given me:

• Self-Connection: Looking myself in the eyes and saying those words brings me back to who I am, just me, reminding myself that I am enough.
• Energy Shift: When I speak love to myself first thing in the morning, it changes the way I walk through the world. I feel more radiant, more centered, more alive.
• Inner Strength: On the days when I feel like I am failing, or like I am not “there” yet, this ritual reminds me I am worthy no matter what.

How You Can Try It

If you are reading this and thinking, “Okay Aphroditi, but I don’t even like looking in the mirror most days,” I hear you. I started this ritual when I did not feel beautiful or lovable either. That is the point. It is not about being perfect. It is about choosing to love yourself even when you do not feel like you deserve it.

Here is how I do it:

1. After your shower, when the mirror is fogged up, write the words “I love you unconditionally” with your finger.
2. Draw a heart. (Yes, even if you feel silly, especially then!)
3. Say it aloud. Look yourself in the eyes and speak with kindness. Let it land.
4. Repeat daily. Even on the messy days. Especially on the messy days.

This Is My Love Story

This mirror ritual is a daily reminder that the longest, most important relationship I will ever have is the one with myself. It is a love story that started the moment I chose to speak kindly to the woman in the mirror.

So, if you have been waiting for someone to tell you that you are worthy, let me be the first but also, let it be you. Write it. Say it. Feel it. And let that love guide everything else.

AFFIRMATION

 

 

I See Myself Through Eyes Of Love. I Am Grateful For The Person Staring Back At Me: Evolving, Radiant, And Whole.

 

 

With Love And Gratitude,

Aphroditi