Be Grateful In Little Things

[akanetuk]

Gratitude means thankfulness, counting your blessings, noticing simple pleasures, and acknowledging everything that comes your way. The act of gratefulness also means learning to live your life as if everything were a miracle, and being aware on a continuous basis of how much you’ve been given. The Almighty has given unto man so many things, and all are for free. We may claim ownership of various wealth, but the truth is none of those really and truly belongs to us because when we die we do go the beyond with any of those. Gratitude shifts your focus from what your life lacks to the abundance that is already present. In addition, behavioral and psychological research has shown the surprising life improvements that can stem from the practice of gratitude. Giving thanks makes people happier and more resilient, it strengthens relationships, it improves health, and it reduces stress.

[Lovelinefan]

Right on!
The best piece of advice I was given in college was from a professor who suggested getting in to the habit of writing down at least 10 things you're grateful for every day (before bed or right after waking up). I had shown up to class early and asked her about achieving success and living a free and happy life (she was constantly traveling around the world doing all sorts of cool stuff, I figured she might have some worthwhile advice).

I always suggest to people who are struggling, confused, upset, depressed, to just try it even for just a week or two. It really does start to shift the way you look at life when you start acknowledging and paying attention to all the little things (and big things) you have to be grateful for.
Clean water.
Food to eat.
A roof over your head.
A bed to sleep in.
Good health.
A sense of humor.
Access to the internet / information.
Friends and family.
A job that pays the bills.
A car to get you where you need to go.
Shoes to wear.
Clothes.
A cell phone.
Clean air to breathe.
Eyesight / vision, hearing.

So many little things that we take for granted, just think how many people struggle to get clean water to drink every day and don't own a pair of shoes even.

Yeah, things might feel like they suck sometimes, relationships end, people get laid off from their job, someone dies, you get a speeding ticket... But there's so much more to be grateful for, all those other problems aren't the end of the world.

Be grateful!