An Attitude of Gratitude
Not satisfied with your life? Want to feel better? Here’s a powerful tool you can use right now!
It’s easy to focus on what we are not happy with and then expect things to magically change for the better. However, life doesn’t work out that way. The more you focus on what you are unhappy with, the more you attract more unhappiness.
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in working with others is trying to help them let go of what they don’t want, and instead focus on what they want. When I’m in a difficult space in my life, I fall into the same trap of focusing on what I don’t like and then expecting the Universe to fix it. When I’m in this space of dissatisfaction and lack, I find it almost impossible to focus on anything to be grateful for. Yet, embracing an attitude of gratitude is the way to get the energy moving in a more positive direction, which can lead to more positive outcomes.
Do you want to feel better or do you want to stay stuck in a negative space? You can’t have it both ways so you have to choose one or the other. If you want to stay stuck you don’t have to do anything different – just keep focusing on the story you tell yourself about how life is unfair and how you are a victim.
If you want to feel better by generating a bit of hope, try embracing an attitude of gratitude. Get a piece of paper – right now – and write down three things you are grateful for such as having a place to live, having people in your life who care about you, and having a job. If you want to write down more than three things, that’s okay too. The point is to shift your focus to what is right in your life rather than what is wrong.
As I write this post, here are just a few things I am grateful for in my life:
- Having a coaching and consulting business where I can help others reach for their dreams.
- Having a nice house to live in where I feel at home.
- Having my two wonderful rescue poodles – Shadow and Buddy,
- Being sober and smoke-free.
- Having hope in my life.
Every time I use this exercise I feel better. Each night when I go to bed, I say a little prayer out loud thanking a Higher Power for helping me to stay sober and smoke-free that day. I then mention at least three things from that day that I am truly grateful for. While my life still might not magically change, I feel more hopeful in my heart.
If you truly want to feel better regardless of the circumstances in your life, try embracing an attitude of gratitude for what you already have. It’s works.