Guarding our lives from pessimism, discontentedness, and a bad attitude is a daily decision. Being thankful includes having a positive attitude and not complaining. This will enable you to soar!
Does it seem that something is always wrong with your job, meals, clothes, car, church, others’ choices, government, and the weather? Life can be difficult, but being negative is a choice you make. It is the wrong choice that can, in turn, bring destruction to your life.
Gratitude starts with our thought life. The words “thank” and “think” are from the same root word, and this is no accident. Thankfulness grows out of thoughtfulness.
In my blog video, I talk about having a gratitude list or a gratitude journal. This is so important as it helps us think on what is important and will help us to live with a positive attitude. This is how I began my journey of living with a positive attitude and I cannot even begin to explain what a difference it made in my life. Sure, it was difficult in the beginning but as I kept it in front of me I began to not only see my thought life turnaround but I also began to see my life turnaround for the better. This may seem like a cheesy or redundant exercise but I challenge you to determine to do this and see the difference in a month from now. It won’t help if you only do it once, it has to be repeated. Remember from research, a habit takes 21 days to break. I promise it will be worth it!
If you need some help with putting together the beginning of your gratitude list or journal, I want to close with this illustration that I have used many times in my speaking:
"Be grateful for what you do have. Be thankful for:
• The taxes you pay because it means you‘re employed.
• The clothes that fit a little too snug because it means you have more than enough to eat.
• The shadow who watches you work because it means you are out in the sunshine.
• A lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing because it means you have a home.
• The spot you find at the far end of the parking lot because it means you are capable of walking.
• Your huge heating bill because it means you are warm.
• All the complaining you hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech.
• The lady behind you in church who sings off key because it means that you can hear.
• The piles of laundry and ironing because it means my loved ones are nearby.
• The alarm in the early morning hours because it means that we are alive.
• Weariness and aching muscles at day’s end because it means you have been productive."
“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” — William Arthur Ward
I would love to hear your thoughts on your gratitude lists whether you’ve been doing this exercise for a while or if you are just starting.