|
The more you count your blessings, the more blessings you have to count.
In this season of thanks-giving, it seems appropriate to discuss the power of gratitude.
Gratitude is the most powerful force in manifesting your dreams - and in creating more everyday experiences to appreciate. It is the "secret" key to happiness.
The law of attraction states that you attract into your life whatever you focus on. Your experience of life is not based on your life, but on what you pay attention to.
How many times a day do you complain about something? How many times a day do you express gratitude?
Hal Urban, author and teacher, gave an assignment to his students. He asked them to keep track of any complaints they made throughout the following day. Not once in 20 years has anyone made it the entire 24 hours without complaining.
Next he had his students create 3 lists:
- People I am grateful for
- Material things I am grateful for
- Intangibles I am grateful for, like friendship, health, beauty, etc.
Then, within 24 hours, the students were assigned to read their "I am grateful for" lists 4 times: first thing in the morning, after lunch, after dinner, and just before sleep.
The following day, those students had more and bigger smiles, and they had improved body language - they appeared more alive and alert.
Other studies have been done on the physical and emotional benefits of expressing gratitude. In 2003, Robert Emmons completed the Research Project on Gratitude and Thankfulness. Those who performed daily thankfulness exercises had fewer illnesses, slept better, and felt more spiritually connected to others. They reported more optimism, mental alertness, determination, attentiveness, and physical vitality.
Here's a great exercise: Start with Hal Urban's assignment of creating 3 gratitude lists. Then add to your list(s) each day.
Now here is the challenge - include on your list the negative occurrences and struggles in your life. Ask yourself: "What lesson can I learn?" "What is the positive piece of this situation?" "What part of this am I grateful for?" "What outcome do I prefer?"
"If I could wish for my life to be perfect, it would be tempting but I would have to decline, for life would no longer teach me anything." ~Allyson Jones
Gratitude is the most powerful force in manifesting your dreams. You are an incredible creative genius. You have the ability to create a life you love.
I encourage you to purchase a journal and to continue building your gratitude lists. Develop an attitude of gratitude. Soon gratitude will be a habit that will transform your life.
Last month I sent the first of these monthly newsletters. I was overwhelmed and amazed by the number of you who took the time to respond. Thank you for reading, for responding, and for forwarding it to others.
I appreciate you! | 
