"Reflect on your present blessings,
of which everyone has many, and
not on your past misfortunes,
of which everyone has some."
-Charles Dickens

When you focus on gratitude, more things to be
thankful for will appear in your life.

No matter what happens in your life,
when you live in a spirit of gratitude,
friendships, good times, opportunites
and even more money,
will come into your life.

Slowing Down To Find Peace

Many of us rush through our days, not paying attention to what is really happening around us.  We're in routines. There is a natural human tendency to focus inward, on ourselves.  But, as you focus inwards, you begin to disconnect to the world around you. When we disconnect, we seek to reconnect through "control."  And as we seek to control our environment, true happiness drifts away. 

But we can find happiness. Gratitude is the key. Gratitude breaks the cycle and reconnects us to the world around us.  And as we reconnect to our world, happiness appears.

A friend once told me, "if you think gratitude doesn't bring you happiness, try living with ingratitude." Likewise, being grumpy or upset is your personal choice. YOU choose if you're happy or not.

"Gratitude is riches.
Complaint is poverty."
-Doris Day
      

Here are a few ways to get started living a life of gratitude:

• Become aware of and give thanks for everything that you have in life.  Take 5 minutes each day and write down 5 things that you're thankful for in a journal. Science is showing us that just by doing this for a couple of days will increase your happiness, and the longer you do it, the happier you will get.
  
  
• Give to others, expecting nothing in return.  This does not always have to be a physical gift, it can be as simple as a quiet thought when you meet someone.  When you meet someone, try to think to yourself, "I hope you have a good day today." "My prayer for you is happiness." Begin to do this daily.
  
  
• Focus on others and their needs first. In time, you will find that this rule actually works in reverse.  By helping others, others will begin to help you.  But focus on helping others, or doing things for others without requesting anything in return.
  
  
• Remove negative influences in your life.  Many people protest violence in the media, but watch the most violent entertainment of all- television news. Did you notice that after watching the evening news, that you feel emotionally drained?  Or after reading the paper that you feel that the world is getting out of control?  We are constantly bombarded with negative emotions from the media. Simply removing television and other negative media will give you an emotional boost.
  
  
• Work exercise into your daily routines.  Even walking for 5-10 minutes can make a difference.  Use this time to focus on your surroundings.  Notice the trees, the sky, others.  Take deep breaths.  Become aware of the life in all forms around you.
  
  
• Learn to practice being silent.  During conversations, don't always feel that you have to offer an opinion. Listen to others.  Try to observe what other's body motions and facial expressions are telling you.
  
  
• Don't play the victim.  Quit looking at everything as being wrong and start looking at everything as happening for a reason.  Positive attitudes bring positive things.  Negative attitudes bring negative things.  Which do you want?
  
  
• During the day, take a couple of minutes for peaceful time.  Notice your surroundings. Notice how your day is going. Give thanks for the enjoyment and gift of life. Again, take deep breaths. Feel life.

You will be surprised at what really makes you happy. Begin to take "I want" out of your vocabulary.  Focus on your daily actions.  Avoid over-planning and seeking control.

Your new found gratitude will begin to temper your attitude towards others. We're all in life together and we're all interconnected. Begin to forgive and understand others.  Remove the stress of carrying unnecessary negative feelings. You will feel better imediately.