Want happiness? Live A Life of GRATITUDE.

“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

It begins when you utter that simple sentence. "Thank You."

Ahhhhhh........Happiness.

People spend their entire lives searching for it with little to no success.

They buy nicer clothes, fancier cars, bigger houses. They get promoted to better, higher-paying jobs...to no avail. They get married, have kids...and yet, they still aren't happy.

Perplexed? Don't be. It's simple, actually. They don't live a life of gratitude.

It takes no money and very little effort.

Sadly, most people focus on what they don't have instead of being grateful for what they do have.

I know what you're thinking...."That's not me." Not true. When is the last time you uttered any of these sentences lately?

"I hate my job."

Be thankful you have one.

"My kids are horrible."

Be thankful you have kids. Some have lost theirs, others cannot have any.

"I'm sick."

Be thankful you're alive.

"My house is so ugly."

Be thankful you have a roof over your head.

"I'm unhappy with the way I look."

There are those born with disfigurement, been in accidents, or with physical disabilities.

It's easy to focus on what you don't have. It's harder to be thankful for the things you do.

We live in a world where material possessions take priority over family, friendships, relationships.

We are surrounded by narcissitic, ungrateful people who complain and make everything about them instead of focusing on what they can give to others. Sound familiar?

Value those around you.

When's the last time you called your parents to thank them for all the sacrifices they made for you? Called a former boss to express thanks for all the opportunities they gave and skills they taught you?

Text a friend to thank them for all the "favors"?

Called a sibling or family member to say, simply, "Thank you for being you."

Time to shift your focus...from negative to positive...from dispair to peace.

When you have gratitude for your life, you want less. You don't need more, more, more. Funny thing is -- that's the moment you begin to become blessed beyond measure with opportunities, relationships and true happiness.

Ever notice when you buy a new car?
The first day you drive it off the lot, you're happy. You're excited. It smells new; it turns heads. Over time, though...the newness wears off. You see other nicer, better cars. You envy their owners. You want a NEWER car.

Same with a significant other.

When you first start dating, they're amazing. When you walk down the street, they turn heads. Everything they say is funny, the way they chew is cute, the way they laugh...adorable.

Over time, though, the newness wears off. All of the sudden everything is annoying. You hate the way they chew their food, the way they cackle when they laugh. You see other, better looking boyfriends or girlfriends. You envy their mates. You want a NEWER one.



There's a word for that. It's called envy. Envy is the opposite of gratitude. It leads to materialism and distracts from feelings of well being and happiness. Think material items are going to make you happy? WRONG. It actually leads to lower self-esteem, more anxiety, and less self-actualization.

Highly materialistic people are also (big surprise here) less successful in personal relationships.

Having a gracious attitude improves your mood and enhances your life. It makes material items less appealing. Those who live gratefully tend to have more friendships and stronger social networks.

So....are you ready to begin your life of gratitude and accept your blessings?

When you don't know something...be thankful you have the opportunity to learn.
For the difficult times...be brave and find your inner strength.
For each new challenge...look forward to the blessings ahead.
For mistakes...find the lesson (there is always one) and become a better person.
When you're tired and weary...be thankful that tomorow will be a better day.

Spend five minutes before you go to bed every night giving thanks and visualizing the great accomplishments and blessings that are coming your way tomorrow.

What are YOU thankful for?