A GRATITUDE LIST

Do you find yourself discouraged, disheartened, and feeling like it would be easiest to just give up? Having a diagnosis for a condition that may seem like there is not much you can do to change anything for the better can leave one in such a state. But don’t give up just yet. The truth is, there is almost always something one can do to find improvement, and in many cases, even healing. And what’s the best way to keep going, keep seeking, and keep learning?… To stay “positive!” The best way you can stay positive is to stay focused on the good things; things you can change, and sometimes, that may be what is in your mind, your thinking, and how to choose to go about the process of healing.

I have suggested it often in various articles, groups, and talks: Keep a Gratitude List! Why? It keeps you focused on the good things and the things you can do something about, even if it’s only on changing what some call your “stinkin’ thinkin’.” A down and negative attitude gets you nowhere! While a daily look at what you are grateful for may not change everything, it can change everything about how you see your situation.

So, what is a gratitude list, anyway? It’s simple! It’s a list of the things you can think of and have in your life to be thankful for. What are you grateful for? This is what will help you keep the right mind and focus on getting through the maze and the overwhelming thoughts and things you may need to do to find the healing you need. It’s not about your condition, but about how you see your condition, which is going to move you ahead positively and with the most energy and enthusiastic spirit.

So, again, I ask: “What are you grateful for?” I suggest you take a few minutes to think of those, put them down on paper so you can see them every day, and remind yourself that you have a lot to be grateful for. A thankful heart is a joyful heart – even in times of turmoil or in the face of adversity.

Here is a sample of things to add to a gratitude list:

• Having a roof over my head and a safe place to call home
• Access to clean drinking water
• A hot bath/shower
• Enough food to eat
• A warm bed to sleep in each night
• My wife/husband, etc.
• My family
• Loving friends
• The ability to laugh
• My job (or retirement)
• Waking up refreshed
• Listening to a favorite song(s)
• The opportunity to learn new things
• The freedom to make my own choices

Here are some tips for making your own:

• Be specific (e.g., I’m grateful for __________ (“my friend”) who brought me soup when I was sick, or my friend who took time to sit and talk with me yesterday)
• Consider what brings joy to your heart
• Focus on what seems “good” to you
• Keeping the right perspective (considering the things that are not so positive may help you think of those things that are, or seeing the opposite of the situation

The point is to focus on the good things you have in your life: The comfort of your home, the people you have who make you happy or are encouraging, etc., and then review these every day. Take time daily to sit and consider each one and how much they mean to you. This will help you stay more positive and keep your mind off the things that might otherwise be discouraging and be a negative influence on your everyday thinking.

You likely have no idea how “powerful” a Gratitude List can be unless you are using one already.

Here is a short video on gratitude you might find enjoyable.

Hopefully, you found these helpful in bringing to your mind the things you have in your life that are good, that bring you joy, and that you do have to be grateful for. You may find you have more than you previously thought. And focusing on these each day will just bring more gratitude and peace to your heart and soul.

Stay positive . . . be grateful!

Written by Douglas K. Johnson – Health and Wellness Coach, Herbalist, Nutritionist, Investigative Journalist, and Author