Is Something Missing in Your Life? It Might be Gratitude.

Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.

-Zig Ziglar

Like attracts like. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again because it’s that vital to your success. If you’re like most people, you want to attract more prosperity, more abundance, more of everything that’s good into your life, right?

Yet, many of us struggle with thoughts that focus on just the opposite, like:

• It’s so hard to connect with my ideal clients.
• I just can’t make ends meet; I never seem to have enough money.
• My plans rarely ever turn out the way I expect them to.

Persistent thoughts of what you don’t have are guaranteed to sabotage your most important goals. Replacing negative thoughts with more constructive ones is a great way to point your attention in the right direction.

But if you really want to jump start your prosperity, start by practicing an attitude of gratitude.

The Power of Gratitude

Sure, you’ve probably heard practicing an attitude of gratitude (and not just at Thanksgiving!) is good for you. But have you ever stopped to wonder why?

One study asked participants to write a few sentences each week, focusing on particular subjects. The first group wrote about things they were thankful for that had happened during the week, while the second wrote about daily annoyances or things that ticked them off. A third group wrote about events which had affected them, with no emphasis on being positive or negative.

The results? Those who wrote about gratitude were more optimistic, exercised more, and even made fewer trips to physicians than those who instead focused on negativity.

Many other studies published on gratitude support a correlation between gratitude and an individual’s well-being. For instance, one study of couples discovered that those who took time to express gratitude for their partner felt more positive toward the other person and more at ease when expressing concerns about the relationship.

Practicing gratitude doesn’t stop at the personal level – managers who thank their people find that those employees are motivated to work harder.

What are you thankful for today?

Try these helpful pointers below to help you implement a more grateful attitude:

✓ Since everything begins with your mind, start by mentally thinking about what you’re most thankful for.

✓ Consider starting a “gratitude journal” to write down everything that makes you feel grateful.

✓ Devote time to meditation. This is a really creative way to bring focus to life’s simple blessings. For instance, focus on the delicate beauty of a plant in or near your space, the warmth of the sun’s rays, or the gentle breeze.

✓ Say “thank you”! This sounds like a no-brainer, but how often have you forgotten to thank someone for something they did? If someone extended a kindness in some way, tell them how grateful you are. It’ll make the other person feel good, too!

✓Live in the present moment to be more aware of what you might be taking for granted. This one has the potential to produce big results – if you really practice this, you will be amazed how much you take for granted every day.

✓When something you perceive as negative pops up, find the good in it. Remember, it’s often your reaction that makes a situation seem “good” or “bad”. Use a mantra to remind yourself that everything can serve as a growth opportunity.

✓Find the good in someone else. This is particularly challenging when the person is someone who annoys you! The next time that person comes into your life, mentally focus on identifying at least one positive aspect about him or her. Also ask yourself what you might learn from that person.

Go forward gratefully!

To quote Gerald Good, “If you want to turn your life around, try thankfulness. It will change your life mightily.”

My challenge to you this week is this: Choose one topic in your life right now that you feel negativity towards. Pay attention to your thoughts, and when you start to think negatively about the topic, replace those thoughts with a statement of gratitude instead.

Then share your experience with us! Did consciously practicing gratitude change your perspective at all?