What is your attitude on gratitude?

December 2nd, 2009 by admin

“Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn’t learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn’t die; so, let us all be thankful.” ~ Buddha

It is true that all is in the attitude, even gratitude. Here ia an article on that subject.

Gratitude Really is an Attitude By Gayle LaSalle Gayle LaSalle

Once more in my life, I find myself realizing how fulfilling the attitude of gratitude is. As most of you, I could find many things to feel bad about and I could easily rationalize a way to focus on those things. But, then something happens that brings about the most profound sense of gratitude. For me, this is the birth of my first “Baby Grand”. I have taken to using this term because she is definitely the grandest of babies and I just like the way it sounds. Besides, she is so unique and wonderful, to me, that I just couldn’t use an ordinary term to describe her.

Now, I realize I am just a bit prejudice as her grandmother and my overwhelming love for her mother (my daughter). That, however, doesn’t lessen the sense of gratitude that exists along with all the other great emotions, at becoming a grandparent for the first time. The gratitude is different from the intense love. It is realizing that our Kennedy is healthy; gratitude for the fact that my daughter (Kennedy’s mom) is well; gratitude for the fact that Kennedy has parents that love her unconditionally and will always do what’s best; gratitude for the fact that this wonderful being has come into my life and that I live close enough to watch her grow and change.

I try to find gratitude in the everyday world and most times, I’m fairly good at it. But, like everyone, I can find myself worrying about small things and letting them cloud the good. So, today, I’m most grateful for the wonderful event of Kennedy, as it has brought me back to my belief that when we look for it, there is almost always more good in our life than bad.

So, today, I’m recommitting myself to look for gratitude and goodness. I hope you will do so as well.

Steps to finding gratitude:

o If you’re having a tough day, stay in the here and now. It’s so easy to focus on all the things that have gone wrong, especially in times of struggle. When something’s not quite right in our lives, we have a tendency to remember all the other things that haven’t been right, big and small. Work hard to focus only on the current struggle. Then:

o Focus on the things that are right in your life. It would be a rare life that has nothing positive. Write them down, over and over, if necessary. Keep the list where you can see it! Review it every time you want to wallow in the negative.

o Keep photos of your loved ones everywhere: home, office, wallet, etc. When you can see those you love, it’s hard to avoid gratitude. If they are happy and healthy, you have so much to be grateful for; the other less positive things will take a back seat.

o Share the positives with others. If you make a point of telling others what’s going well in our life, you will be more apt to focus on this. And, as a side effect, others will certainly enjoy your company more than if you are continually complaining. Both negative and positive are contagious. Choose to spread the positive.

o Every day: Set a “Beat the Alarm Clock Goal”. My friend Ann Tardy, in her book “Life Moxie, Ambition on a Mission” describes a “Beat the alarm clock goal” as a goal that is so exciting that we may actually get up before the alarm clock. Once you’ve set this goal, review your progress at the end of the day. Each step closer to this goal is a reason for gratitude.

o Smile! It’s been said that if you smile a lot, people will wonder what you’ve been up to. It will also send a message to others and to yourself that you have things in your life to smile about. This is gratitude!

Join Gayle to learn some practical, solution focused ideas on how to identify your priorities, weigh outcomes and make powerful choices.

“Gayle’s one of those perfect guests. She’s able to quickly articulate her position without the jargon so many speakers rely on. Add to that, she’s personable and witty”

Benita Zahn, health reporter- Anchor
WNYT, NBC affiliate, Albany New York

“Thanks for being authentic” Esther Chappione – Executive Success

”Touching, real and relatable making you accessible in delivering your life lessons” Valerie Delacruz

“Your story and humor are excellent. I loved your talk” Lin Murphy

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

TODAY’S TIP: Before you get out of bed in the morning, think of the things your are thankful for.

Do you have an attitude of gratitude?