attitude of gratitude

“If the only prayer you say in your life is ‘thank you,’ that would suffice.”
Meister Eckhart

I’ve been meaning to write this blog post for a while now but for some reason today is the day!  I’ve read PLENTY of law of attraction books over the last couple of years and whether you believe in that ‘airy fairy’, mumbo jumbo, hippy nonsense or not there’s definitely a single theme that runs through all of them.  It isn’t just confined to the topic of manifesting either, it can be found in almost every ancient text, philosophy, psychology and most new-age self-help books.  It’s something that since I started practicing daily has added an extra dimension of vibrant happiness to my already fabulous life…

I’m talking about being grateful.

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.”
Marcus Cicero

It’s said that the one recurring attribute of happy people is that of being grateful and appreciative for all that is around them.  Being grateful changes how we feel and has the power to attract more of the things we appreciate and value IN to our life.  The more you are grateful for, the more things to be grateful for come your way.  Strange but true.

Being grateful:

• is easy to do
• brings you joy
• reduces stress
• makes you more vibrant, positive and optimistic
  
• anchors you in the present moment
• lifts your mood
• boosts self-esteem
• makes you bloody gorgeous

Even better than that, it only need take a few minutes a day and it’s never too late to start!

Five minutes when you get up in the morning or before you go to bed is all that’s required.  Once I’ve written my diary in the morning and at night, I take five mins to write down a list of all the things I’m grateful for (usually 20-30) in general or from the day.  More importantly I write why I’m grateful for that thing.  I could say for example, I’m grateful for my parents but saying why I’m grateful for them (e.g. their understanding, compassion, generosity) really hones in on the ESSENCE of what you are grateful for.  And it’s this ESSENCE that will be attracted in to your life (e.g. more understanding, compassion, generosity – not necessarily from your parents but in other ways).  Finally at the end of that sentence I put a big THANK YOU and at the end of the whole list another big THANK YOU.  And I feeeeeel the thanks, that’s the crucial bit!

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more.  If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”
Oprah Winfrey

I guarantee you simply will not be the same person one month from now (maybe sooner) after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life.  It’s actually really good fun once you get in to it.  Don’t put any rules on yourself about what you should say thanks for, if you want to be grateful for some spankin’ new shoes or some raspberry jam you tasted then put that.  THERE ARE NO RULES to what you can be grateful for or how you express your gratitude although I personally find writing it down to be more beneficial.

If you’re feeling really shitty then put “I’m grateful for feeling shitty and being able to go to bed now”.  Often when we have shitey stuff happening it’s still an opportunity for growth or learning so that’s still something to be grateful for…

So here’s my top ten off the top of my head for today (without the reasons):

1. A healthy body
2. A sound mind
3. My hula hoop
   
4. My amazing friends that I’m seeing later on today
   
5. An abundance of food, particularly that killer juice I made this morning wooooft
6. Fresh air
7. Freedom
8. The nice smelly candle my friend bought me
   
9. Rawr chocolate Easter Eggs waiting patiently for me to finish my juice feast
10. Finding awesome Berlin accommodation
    

A bit o’ a mix there.

Try it out for yourself and see.

What are you thankful for?

Kula shaker – Grateful when you’re dead by Marinette_Le_Poussin