Are you grateful everyday? Do you say “thanks” for the things in your life? I sure hope you do but if you forget, that’s ok. The Universe understands and is always willing to work with us to listen. This month especially we should be grateful for all of our many blessings but we can learn this practice in some easy and simple ways. Sure, we all WANT or NEED stuff in our lives or maybe we gotta get those things all lined up so we ask and ask and ask….. How about noticing the little things you DO have and recognizing them even if just for today?

When I used to teach preschool, we would play a little game with the kids around this time of year and their answers were always so simple and sweet. Very honest but as we age, we mature onto bigger goals or ideas for ourselves. If you’re new to this, be a little kid again. Just say “thanks” for the common items in your life right now. They can be stuff you use all the time so start there. Kids would say their own personal belongings before family sometimes and there is nothing wrong with that. We can be selfish at times so it’s great to acknowledge what we sometimes take for granted.

Go ahead and try it…. I know you want to….. Say you are grateful for your bed, snuggly pj’s., your favorite T.V. show, coffee, you get the idea. That’s all fine! You can and will expand on that obviously to include bigger and broader aspects but starting small is just as acceptable as saying: ” my job, a nice home, a healthy family, etc….” Then, you’ll be ready for even more challenging topics such as manifesting good thoughts ( I especially HAD to be grateful for this today!!) or being able to become open-minded to new ideas, accepting change, and others. Once you continually practice becoming grateful, your life and attitude will shift into a higher vibration with the Universe. Huh? Are you asking what the heck do I mean? Well, here’s the scoop….

Be grateful by starting your day happy, not by looking for happiness. That might sound like a ton of work early in the morning and I have to admit that it’s a doozy for me too sometimes. There will be frustrations or places we might not want to go—like work but try really hard to start positive and your results will continue to improve as the day goes on. If you have that co-worker who you really can’t stand and you hate facing him or her, maybe try to notice something good and be grateful. Be thankful you HAVE that job to go to or that you have the talent to work on a certain project. Focus your attention on that thought and your tension will shift off the negative co-worker that you have to see everyday. Try a new mantra in your head or repeat:”I am grateful for my job, I am grateful for my job….” You can direct your attention to the good and take it off the bad by just changing your perception of the situation.

If we constantly keep looking to the finish line, we forget the time during the race which shouldn’t really be one anyway. I know this is so very true for me and trying to inspire all of you. I genuinely want to make a difference and share with like-minded people but sometimes life’s problems get in the way….. everything has to be consistent and persistent like I’ve said so many times before but so does gratitude. We do take our lives for granted at times but somedays really NEED to slow down and stop for a bit. Let’s wrap up since this blog is getting sent out later than I wanted today ( new security issues, ugh) and I need to get back to dinner!

I can go on and on about this whole being grateful post but I think you get a good handle on what works and what doesn’t. As always, I say to try your own methods but just keep at it and you WILL notice a change. Be that little kid and say thanks for your own stuff even if it’s something small or seems insignificant. Believe me, it isn’t. Nothing is. You can try some mantras or check out the post on meditation where I list my whole routine. It’s archived and my life is always first. Nothing is more important than being grateful for that, ever. Your list will matter and once you have some ideas in place, others will flow that will become bigger.

     Be grateful everyday.

Try positive mantras that will work for you

Be a kid and start small, everything matters and counts

     Gradually add to your list a little at a time

Be consistent and persistent with your gratitude.

Know that the Universe hears you and recognizes your effort

Make this part of your life always and not just because this is the month of giving THANKS. Those negatives will turn around but only if you put in the work of being truly thankful and full of gratitude for all of your life and everything in it.

~~~ Next week, I will share what it means to be an EARTH ANGEL and my encounter with one many years ago! Stay true spirit friends and practice that gratitude everyday!