Are you completely happy in your life right now? Honestly? Have you achieved all the success that you know is rightfully yours?
If not, then perhaps you're missing this VITAL piece of the puzzle- GRATITUDE.
A deep and profound feeling of gratitude must be an ESSENTIAL component of who you are, if you wish to live a life of permanent happiness and success.
I totally agree with Cicero when he said, "Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others."
The fact is, without complete unconditional gratitude, there is no true happiness. And without an underlying foundation of happiness, you cannot have success.
On the other hand, a person living in complete gratitude cannot fail to be happy and successful.
For the short answer as to why this works, consider one of the Universal Laws governing our lives which says that what you focus your mind on, is what you get. Focus on negativity and you will experience more negativity. Focus on the positive, and you will experience more of the positive.
The power of gratitude is that it focuses your attention on the positive aspects of your life. There is no room for fear in any of its forms, when your mind is filled with a deep and profound sense of gratitude. By focusing on the good and positive aspects of your life, and expressing gratitude, you will get even more of these positive experiences.
And even more powerful than that - look to your current and past challenges and failures - and find a positive there. Give thanks for it. And you will find that you've taken a massive step in growing & learning from the experience, and overcoming similar challenges in future.
Can't find a positive in your failures? You're just not trying hard enough. Consider this quote by Confucius:
"I was complaining that I had no shoes till I met a man who had no feet."
There is always a positive. Find it, and express a deep and unconditional gratitude. Your future success and happiness depend on it.
Try not to limit yourself in who you express gratitude to. It doesn't have to always be a person. You can also express gratitude to an object (just for being), an experience, a feeling, a sound, a colour, a view. You can thank a group of people, a whole nation, the whole of humanity, nature, the universe, God, the Universal Spirit, or collective consciousness, or whichever other power you can relate to.
So what's the most effective way to express gratitude?
Let's look at 2 simple methods.
(1) Repeat after me: "Thank You!"
Awesome! I think you've got it. :)
You can make the expression as detailed and specific as you wish, but there is something beautiful about a simple "Thank You" when expressed with a deep and genuine love & appreciation.
Try it now. Think of the person you most love in the world. Perhaps your partner, your parents, or a friend? If you can't think of anyone, then picture the type of person you'd love to fall in love with. Focus on their image with complete acceptance and love, and thank them!
"Thank you for just being you."
"Thank you for the joy you bring to my life."
Whatever you wish to thank them for, express it with genuine love & gratitude.
There's NO WAY you can feel bad while expressing true gratitude.
Try it again. If you're reading this article, then express gratitude for the power of sight. If it's being read to you, then give thanks for the miracle of sound.
It takes a bit of practice, but if you do this regularly, your quality of life will improve dramatically.
And whenever you find your life is not quite on track, pause to show gratitude for what you have here & now. You'll find the right way forward.
(2) Now let's take it to another level. You may have heard of the concept of a Gratitude Journal. This is powerful stuff.
If you're serious about your happiness, you MUST do this.
Buy a nice book, and as often as you can, record something you're thankful for. Anything! It doesn't matter how big or small. Just record whatever you're grateful for in you life.
Expressing your gratitude in writing, and reading it back to yourself, increases the power a thousandfold.
Personally, I try to add five new entries per day.
And anytime you feel like a nice "pick-me-up", reach for your Gratitude Journal.
You'll find it's full of inspiration - an uplifting reminder of the good that you have in your life. It'll get your mind back on the positive, and perhaps even sometimes you'll experience that deep "knowing", that you really are perfect exactly as you are, and that your life is perfect exactly as it is.
Try it. Start today & see how your life improves.
If you want to see an example of how simple it is to express gratitude via a Gratitude Journal, please have a look at mine.
I have recently moved it online so that you can all see.
You will find it at: www.HowToBeHappyNow.com/journal/index.html
Oh, and before I go, why not try this exercise for an hour or so, and see how it makes you feel. Sit down somewhere where you can watch people go past. Perhaps a cafe in the city, or a seat on a train. For every person you see, give a smile and send a silent "Thank You" to them. For no real reason. Just because you can. Make it a silent outpouring of love and gratitude - just for being.
It's silent, so there's no need to feel silly. Just try it. You'll feel good, I promise.
THANK YOU for reading,
Lance Beggs
Lance Beggs is the author of the "How to be Happy Now" newsletter, and the soon to be released "How to be Happy Now" book. His mission is to help others live a life of meaning, love & happiness!
Subscribe to his FREE Mini Course & ezine at http://www.howtobehappynow.com
rental limo Atlanta .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare"A person is limited only by the thoughts that he... Read More
Change your attitude, change your lifeIn my experiences, I've found... Read More
Never used 'em. Not likely to start now.OK, so I... Read More
Visualization is the art of using ones imagination to influence... Read More
Thousands of dollars will be yours, just by using your... Read More
How would you like to stop feeling like your life... Read More
We are all involved in this game called life and... Read More
Have you ever dreaded an upcoming presentation, meeting or function... Read More
I don't want to say people are basically negative but?..if... Read More
One often hears people say they can't sketch because they... Read More
I heard these words from a client who had been... Read More
Well I've finally done it...I turned my heat on. After... Read More
It took me a long time to realise the benefits... Read More
You may be facing a type of disappointment, frustration, loss,... Read More
Want to improve your personal performance? Positive self-talk can help.Edward... Read More
Thinkers know better than to be racist. It's generally understood... Read More
Ten tips to transform your move into a creative life... Read More
Uncle Liam was very kind to me again. He gave... Read More
Do you realize that what we believe about ourselves, affects... Read More
No one becomes successful by accident. Motivational speaker Les Brown... Read More
That strange, gut-wrenching feeling you have is not the sushi... Read More
I need your help. I did a good deed recently,... Read More
Are you aware of your inner dialogue? If not, you... Read More
As a being of thought, your dominant mental attitude will... Read More
Many of you may look at my title and wonder... Read More
Bedford Park taxi to Midway ..The quality of your life is directly related to your... Read More
Several years, I was listening to a radio talk show... Read More
Have you ever felt the whole world was against you?... Read More
Music penetrates our mental barriers and influences the deepest areas... Read More
In order to learn how to relieve ourselves of self-defeating... Read More
I'm sure most of you remember the children's book about... Read More
How would your life shift if you moved into what... Read More
You may be facing a type of disappointment, frustration, loss,... Read More
Fear is a double-edged sword. It can hold you back... Read More
So, do you love yourself?Shouldn't really be a difficult question... Read More
Every day something changes at work: your products, your customers,... Read More
One thing in life is certain---change. Things never stay the... Read More
I was always somebody who felt quite sorry for myself,... Read More
The Alchemists of old worked over many years, centuries, in... Read More
Drinking damages the soul; being lustful damages the vitality; greed... Read More
Byron and I started our first business full of enthusiasm... Read More
There are countless books that describe success principles. Here are... Read More
"Someone was hurt before you; wronged before you, hungry before... Read More
Many people would say that it is absolute madness to... Read More
In my work as a professional coach, I've had the... Read More
"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't... Read More
There was some sunshine this weekend while I was writing... Read More
Can you really plan a life-changing experience, or do they... Read More
A rager, or rageaholic, is a person who is addicted... Read More
Many centuries ago there was a Greek philosopher who lived... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |