Gratitude Is Always The Way Forward

Gratitude is easier said than done when you are in a painful state and when everything is hurting and overwhelming.

However, it is a powerful way to move forward in life. It allows us to shift our focus from the negatives to the positives and appreciate the little things we often overlook. We can find joy and contentment in the present moment by being grateful for what we have. It also positively impacts our health and well-being, reducing stress and anxiety and increasing happiness and overall life satisfaction. Finding a glimmer of something you can be thankful for can take some digging.

Those moments of looking deeply for something to be grateful for may mean that we focus on finding the simple things. The things that are often overlooked. It could be the glistening of a leaf after the morning dew, the smile of a stranger as they walk past, or the song of a bird in the distance. Being present and searching for something makes you notice and become aware of many sounds, smells, touches, tastes and sights.

These five things can bring about immense pleasure and promise in an instant, allowing us to become grounded and return to the present moment. Our stress often stems from worry and concern about the future, or it can be a result of grief and sadness from the past. Future worries are often what we perceive outcomes to be, but they are not necessarily the truth. Are these thoughts worth losing our peace for today? Will it make any difference to the result if we overthink, stress and become fearful now? The past can hold us captive, or we can find our inner peace by learning and having more clarity about ourselves and others. What sits behind all of our reactions and responses? 

Whatever we continue to focus on creates more of our reality. This is how I view my thinking now. Do I want more of what I am thinking about? The law of attraction will bring more of that to me. If we could only realise how much we bring on fearful things, because that is where our focus is, we would become more aware of what occupies our thoughts.

Take a step back; find the little things to give us a greater perspective. Remember, the little things are the big things, so let’s begin there. Great if you can find those things to be grateful for, but sometimes it's okay to see the joy in the touch of a hand, the listening ear of a friend or the smell of a dinner being cooked for us, savouring the first fruit of the season or taking in the sunrises or sunsets. Each of these experiences can bring much contentment and can be uplifting.

Regardless of our current reality, if we can shift the focus, we can become present and turn our state of mind into something positive.

It is easy to find something negative to focus on. However, it takes the same amount of energy but has a profoundly different impact on our health and wellness. This leads us to continually see more and more disappointments, scarcity, struggles, and pain.

We can take the time to notice the little things that uplift and inspire, and find some good happening in the world, with our loved ones, work colleagues, and even those who test us.

Catching people doing things right rather than seeing all they do wrong shifts our perspective and makes us see more and more good within our daily experiences. It has made us less judgmental and more accepting of other ways of thinking and reacting.

Speaking out loudly about the things we are grateful for, journaling about them, and having a daily affirmation/prayer that highlights it all. It has a ripple effect on the opportunity to be thankful for more things.

When we find those things, awareness around us grows. Let's make gratitude a daily practice and see how it enhances our lives.

Be Brave | Be Love | Be Kind | Be Real