Practicing gratitude is one of the best habits we can develop. It not only changes our lives, but it affects others around us. Our gratitude is like a positive energy that can inspire and energize others. I knew a woman who always confessed that she had a black cloud that followed her wherever she went. And guess what, it did! That black cloud was her negativity and lack of gratitude. Although she had much to be thankful for and some good opportunities in her life, she always found something to grumble and complain about. This woman was one of the most unhappy people I have ever known. The black cloud kept her in darkness, clouding her hopes, dimming her outlook, and constantly attracting more negativity and problems in her life. This only reinforced her self-destructive attitude.
Negativity surrounds a person who cannot find the good or be thankful for even the simplest blessings. Being thankful is a way of life. It is a way of thinking that affects how we feel and what we do. To make it a part of our life, we must practice it. A great way to do this is to think of at least 3 things every day that you can be thankful for. Record them in a journal if you would like. When I first started this years ago, it wasn't long before my list grew to many more than three things each day. Before I knew it, I was feeling really positive. I realized that there are simple little things we don't even give a second thought that are blessings to us. I came across a beautiful quote that illustrates this perfectly:
I'm thankful for a pair of shoes that feel really good on my feet; I like my shoes.
I'm thankful for the birds; I feel like they're singing just for me when I get up in the morning... Saying, 'Good morning, John. You made it, John.'
I'm thankful for the sea breeze that feels so good right now, and the scent of jasmine when the sun starts going down.
I'm thankful... Johnny Cash
Can you think of three things you are thankful for today?
In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy. ~Brother David Steindl-Rast
Copyright © 2011 Krystal Kuehn. All Rights Reserved.
Krystal Kuehn, MA, LPC, LLP, NCC is a psychotherapist, author, teacher & musician. She is the cofounder of New Day Counseling, a family couples counseling and adolescent children therapycenter, BeHappy4Life.com, an award-winning, self-help and inspirational site where you can find hundreds of free resources, insights & words of inspiration to change your life, and Baby-Poems.com where you can find beautiful baby poems, baby quotes, cute sayings & baby videos that will touch your heart & increase your joy & gratitude for the children you love & enjoy! Krystal is also author of The 10 Keys to Happy and Loving Relationships and several blogs: Give Thanks Journal, Words of Inspiration, Baby Poems blog & Be Your Best blog.