Finish Strong Challenge Week #5: Gratitude

Use Gratitude to Create a Bounty of Positive Change in Your Life 

Consistent gratitude is one of the most powerful tools that you can use to propel yourself into a brighter tomorrow. Gratitude isn’t a magical shortcut, though. It doesn’t necessarily create any changes outside of yourself. What it can do, however, is open you up to other opportunities.

As you become aware of the multitude of blessings already present in your life, you may begin to focus on abundance more and more. This can set you on a path to a mental state rich in optimism.

This transformation takes place as you begin to express genuine gratitude to others, and start feeling gratitude for everything in your life that brings you joy.

Become Receptive to Abundance

A great way to increase your awareness of the abundance you already have is to start a gratitude journal. You don’t have to wait for something great to come into your life to appreciate it. Instead, just open your notebook once a day and take a few minutes to write down everything you’re thankful for.

You can feel grateful for anything, big or small. On days when you think you have absolutely nothing to be appreciative for, you can prime the pump by taking stock of the little things. For instance, take note of the air you’re breathing or the food in your pantry.

Once you realize that there are so many things to be grateful for, you’ll find that you can think of more and more blessings in your life.

After several weeks of journaling in this way, you may find that you’re spontaneously running into “good luck.”

Some New Age gurus will tell you that your new found luck is due to “positive vibrations.” Instead, it probably has more to do with training your brain to spot opportunities. You’ve convinced your subconscious that you’re positively swimming in abundance. And why not? You deserve it!

Gratitude is a Tool

Gratitude can put you on the path to becoming a stronger person. Use gratitude proactively to arm yourself against negativity and tough times. Focus on what you do have as opposed to what you don’t have.

A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology entitled “Counting Blessings versus Burdens: An Experimental Investigation of Gratitude and Subjective Well-being in Daily Life” found that those who maintained a grateful attitude experienced greater physical and psychological well-being.

Okay. So here are this week's action steps:

1. Take time today to find a SMALL thing to be grateful for. Keep your eyes open.

2. Share your SMALL gratitude with the FB group.

3. Share your SMALL gratitude with your family.

Remember to jot down your gratitude daily. Look for the opportunities to be happy with what you have.

~Ilke