Today I ponder having an attitude of gratitude. The real inspiration for this comes from an article ‘Grateful for Depresson’ that I recently read on the ‘Hope Despite Depression’ Blog.
The author wrote ‘It’s in moments like these when I know I’m being tested. It’s very easy to stay negative and to mope around the house feeling sorry for myself – and let me tell you, that urge can be very strong at times. However, I know that if I allow myself to go down that path it will only get worse. I know that no matter how hard it is, I have to change the direction of my thoughts if I want to get out of this funk. That’s when I pulled out my “gratitude journal”. I try to write in it every day – to write five things I am grateful for. I’m usually pretty good at staying on top of it, but not always. It’s pretty easy to come up with five items when I’m in a good mood… however it’s when I’m at a low point when it becomes a difficult task’.
It is essential that we are grateful for where we are – no matter where that may be. We may be a long way from our goals in life, but at least we are on the journey.
Examine your life as it is now. How much energy do you put into worry, fear, guilt, shame, humiliation, grief or regret? We often focus on the negatives in our lives, making us feel as though our lives aren’t going well at all. And feeling negative hinders our forward focus and thus the results we achieve in our lives.
There are times when it is difficult to see good things in your life – but take a hard look – there is always something there. There are always up sides to every situation though they are not always easy to spot. Look and you will find them. The more you look and pay attention to the upside the more positive situations will flow into your life.
To start winning your battles in the outside world, you have to first win the battle that takes place in your own mind. So start seeing good in your life, appreciate those parts, no matter how small, that are good. Now it’s time to start multiplying those good things, and those good moments in your life. One of the key parts to a positive attitude is to acknowledge what is already going well in our lives and appreciate them for their value. This is an attitude of gratitude. No matter what kind of life you may be living right now, there will always be something in it that merits appreciation and gratitude.
Everyday when you first wake up you need to take a minute and focus on what you are thankful for that day. Think of them, appreciate them and move on with your day. Starting on this positive note will help your day be a little brighter and motivate you to overcome the challenges you might face that day. By doing this you are programming your mind to think positively.
Once you’ve learned how to honestly appreciate your life, good things will automatically happen to you. Your self-confidence will increase, people will look upon you with more respect and you will find it easier to achieve your goals.
Lets look at what you’ve got. Those things that immediately stand out, for which you can show gratitude. Gratitude for your possessions and your immediate circumstances is a great place to start:
- a roof over your head
- your material possessions
- a car that runs
- your health
- your relationships
- your family
- your job
- your skills
- your holidays
I have pleasure in sharing with you my gratitude expressions:
I am grateful for my health, my family, my friends, my mentors, opportunities to learn and grow, opportunities to coach and develop others. Thank you for helping me wake up early every day and having the energy and determination to get up and get going. I’m grateful for my sleep and all of its restorative power. Thank you for all the books I read, which challenged me to think of all that I wanted to achieve and to start achieving it! Thank you for The Secret, the book that changed my life and gave me the courage to step up. Thank you for my beautiful children, who are so sweet and loving and supportive. Thank you for my mind, my vision, and my body. Thank you for the energy, youth, and enthusiasm I feel when I am running and exercising. Thank you for the time we have as a family. Thank you for the love and the joy I feel in my heart . Thank you for all the people who love me and support me. Thank you for my physical body and all I have learned and continue to learn as I get better at taking care of it. Thank you for the opportunity to touch so many people doing something I love. I am grateful to have found find inner strength to deal with life, to commit myself to honesty and consistency. I am grateful for the potential that my life holds and for my health Thank you for my life. Thank you thank you thank you….!!!!
Here are a few that may be appropriate for you:
- I am grateful to be alive, and for the good health I have.
- I am grateful for all of the happiness and love I receive.
- Life is an adventure, and not matter what happens good or bad I know that it all happens for a reason and am grateful for the opportunity to grow.
- I appreciate everyone in my life, for they fulfill my life’s destiny and create my experiences.
- Today is another opportunity to be joyful, loving and grateful. I am blessed to have been given this opportunity.
- I am thankful for all I am and all the I know I will become.
These are but a few examples of the inspirational words you can use to keep you constantly aware of all that you can be grateful for in your life. So start to show gratitude, and take your focus away from the things you are not happy about in life for a change.
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