Gratitude

Have an attitude of gratitude! How many times have you heard that one? Unless you've been living under a rock, probably a gazillion times. Every personal development coach, trainer, speaker, self-help motivational guru out there tells you to do this.

Often times it can be easier said than done.  Challenges and set backs seem to come at us from all different directions. Maybe your relationship isn't working out the way you thought it should. You've hit yet another roadblock in your career. Maybe you've lost a spouse or family member. An unexpected illness has occured. Or maybe your car finally pooped out and you have no other form of transportation.  The list goes on.

Even in the most extreme circumstances, you can find something to be thankful for, some bright spot.  It just takes some conscious effort.  Take for example the various natural disasters that are so often shown on tv, there always seems to be someone being interviewed that has found a way to turn a devastating circumstance around.

One exercise you can do is, from the moment you wake up, start making a mental list (on paper is even better) of all the things that are good in your life. For example: #1) I am alive, #2) the sun is shining, #3) the newspaper is actually at the door, not in the bushes where the paperboy usually throws it, #4) that was a really great cup of coffee...

Stop and really think of the most simple everyday things. So often we go about the day and not even notice the little things. The funny thing about gratitude is, the more grateful and thankful you are about the things and events in your life, the more you will begin to the notice all the little blessings in disguse.

Here's to the little things. Cheers!

~Brenda

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