What you focus on expands and what you appreciate appreciates. That's an indisputable universal law.

Unfortunately, because of our primitive survival mechanism, we tend to focus on what we don't have, instead of what we do have. We can settle for this default option or we can choose to cultivate an attitude of gratitude and be more positive and optimistic as we pursue the goals we crave.

One of the most successful and positive people on the planet, Oprah Winfrey, knows the power of gratitude. In 1996, she began writing in a gratitude journal and continued for a decade. She encouraged others to do the same. Then, she got busy and dropped this transforming ritual.

In her "What I Know for Sure" column in O, The Oprah Magazine, she explained, "Since 1996, I had accumulated more wealth, more responsibility, more possessions; everything, it seemed, had grown exponentially--except my happiness. How had I, with all my options and opportunities, become one of those people who never have time to feel delight? I was stretched in so many directions. I wasn't feeling much of anything. Too busy doing. 

"But the truth is, I was busy in 1996, too. I just made gratitude a daily priority. I went through the day looking for things to be grateful for, and something always showed up.

"I'm back to journaling--electronically--and whenever there's a grateful moment, I note it. I know for sure that appreciating whatever shows up for you in life changes your personal vibration. You radiate and generate more goodness for yourself when you're aware of all you have and not focusing on your have-nots." 

Does Oprah's experience resonate with you? Would you like to feel more delight? 

I would and that's why I'm resurrecting my gratitude journal ritual to rediscover the power of gratitude. Will you join me? For the next month, write in a gratitude journal. It could be a notebook you keep by your bed. At the end of the day, write down a brief list of what you are grateful for that day. Include at least one unique entry. That increases your awareness and gets you to ask during the day, "What am I going to add to my journal tonight?" If you want something that's more high-tech and portable to capture moments as they happen, use a gratitude or notes app on your smartphone or tablet. I'll check back with you in mid December so we can share the blessings from this simple practice.
 

Way beyond an annual tradition you take part in around the dinner table, expressing thanks is a powerful tool that leads to a more fulfilling life.