“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”
—William Arthur Ward
Do you feel at times as if you are in a chronic state of stress, constantly feeling frazzled? Are you having the sensation that life is moving so fast you hardly have time to sit, think and plan? Or maybe you are experiencing the sense that life has lost its joy, its luster, its passion, leaving you with a “ho hum” attitude. If so, it’s time to leave those thoughts behind and take on a more positive approach.
“How?” you ask. Well, there is no one magical formula, of course, and no single secret sauce for living a cheerful life of fulfillment and joy. There are actually many paths to a contented state. But one potential route has proven to be very effective. And that path is living your life in a perpetual state of gratitude. Being thankful for whatever comes your way—whether it is a blessing or a challenge—allows you to grow smarter, stronger and more resilient.
Here are five steps to living a life of gratitude:
- Be intentional. Make a conscientious, purposeful decision to change the way you look at the events and circumstances of your life.
- Count your blessings. It turns out we do have enough of the material things in our life. Be sure to take joy in the things in life beyond material possessions, like good friends. And if you think you need a few more of those, then the blessing becomes finding more.
- Focus on what you have. Never take for granted what you already have. Simply enjoy your present surroundings. Don’t worry about what you don’t have compared to others. Leave the Jones behind. After all, studies have shown those who seem to “have it all” are really not all that happy anyway.
- Be humble. I’ve heard it said that humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less. Living a life of humility then leaves you time to focus on the needs of others and when we do, we are on the path to a life worth living.
- Say thanks. Make it a habit to continually say thanks and to be appreciative of all that comes your way.
In closing, let this poem serve your operating procedure this week:
Be Thankful
Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don’t know something,
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge,
Because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes,
They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you’re tired and weary,
Because it means you’ve made a difference.
It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.
GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they can become your blessings.
—Author Unknown
Gary A. Weuve, CFP®
Founder and CEO
2NDACTLIVES, LLC
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