Lore Says that "Gratitude comes from within. It took me 40 years to figure this out. I always had a case of "when I"s:
When I get __________, I will be happy!
When I go __________, I will be happy!
When I have __________, I will be happy!
When I go __________, I will be happy!
When I have __________, I will be happy!
Then I spent 2 years in Lower Yukon, Alaska, rural Alaska, drop-you-off-in-a-plane kind of Alaska. Even if we had cars in the village, it wouldn't matter because there is no place to go. It was here that I learned I didn't need a 3500 square foot home, a brand new car, or a $6 cappuccino every morning. It was here that I learned that I am grateful for the simple things in life like hot water and the friendship of others. And it was here that I began my journey to self-healing, and realized that gratitude and happiness will never be sourced from something outside myself. It is something that starts from the inside, and radiates outward.
It is easy to lose your sense of gratitude in a world full of bustling cities, busy people, and technology that even tells you when to take a bathroom break. We forget to take time to appreciate what is around us, the people in our lives. When is the last time you stopped to take a breath and listen to the birds or smell the roses (literally)? When is the last time you reflected on who you are, where you life is going, and if you are truly, deep down, happy? Returning to a state of gratitude requires a conscious effort and a lot of reflection.
So how do you foster gratitude and happiness? The "big picture" key is to learn to accept and love yourself. If you come from a place of self-loathing and anger, the world is a negative place, and your existence will ultimately be unhappy. However, self love is hard, it's a journey as we are our own worst critics and have adopted the unkind words of others. And there is no flicking of any kind of switch.
The easiest way to boost gratitude, appreciation, and your happiness is to keep a gratitude journal. Every night write down 5 things or events, even if they seem stupid and petty, that you are grateful for that day. And feel the gratitude, don't just speak it. If it doesn't resonate, chose something else.
When you do this consistently, you start to focus on the positive. Your list grows. Your list expands from the materialistic items to more meaningful experiences. And it happens almost magically, if you do it correctly.
After 6 months of keeping a gratitude journal, I now thank the Universe for the "gifts" I receive each day. It is automatic and in the moment. And while I still have a ways to go when it comes to true bliss, I am much more aware of all the good things that show up in my life rather than focusing on all the things that go wrong. And what a difference this makes! Try it!"
This seems to be great advice and easy. I'm going to try it. If you want to see my gratitude journal, please click here. I loved when she said that "The "big picture" key is to learn to accept and love yourself. If you come from a place of self-loathing and anger, the world is a negative place, and your existence will ultimately be unhappy. However, self love is hard, it's a journey as we are our own worst critics and have adopted the unkind words of others. And there is no flicking of any kind of switch." That is so true. I need to love myself more and realize that I am worthy of my dreams and happiness. I know that it has taken me 39 years to get to this point. I am not going to be able to fix this overnight, but in time, I feel that I can.
If you want to explore the way the Law of Attraction works please CLICK HERE for more info.
If you want to explore the way the Law of Attraction works please CLICK HERE for more info.
