I'm talking about gratitude, not attitude! Do you express your gratitude enough? I know I don't. And I don't mean whether you write your thank-you notes on time. Do you take some time every day to feel fully grateful for what you receive? Think of it as writing a thank-you note to the universe (or God, or your higher power) for looking out for you.
Thanksgiving obviously creates the perfect opportunity to cop some 'tude. It's easy to feel grateful at this time of year. So I'm not going to talk about family holiday traditions-you can get that out of any magazine in the supermarket checkout line.
I am going to encourage you to take a few minutes every day to be grateful. Being grateful sets the stage for receiving more of what you want. Being grateful also lets the universe know you are appreciative of what comes your way-even when you feel like you've worked really hard for it, and the universe didn't really help at all.
Sound a bit too esoteric for you? Let's bring it down to earth. Here are some of the 'tude-building activities that work for me.
1. My gratitude practice includes taking time each day to write down five things I'm grateful for that day. Some days I go over the limit; other days two of my items are "breathing out" and "breathing in". I learned this practice many years ago, when I read Simple Abundance (www.simpleabundance.com) by Sarah Ban Breathnach. This list takes 2 minutes each day.
2. Another gratitude reinforcement comes during my meditations. After manifesting using my virtual crystal ball, I take a minute to express gratitude to the universe for listening to me, and for whatever I may receive. These meditations take 5-10 minutes a day.
3. Finally, I just found out about a great little site, where you can light a candle in gratitude (or for whatever reason you wish). It's at www.gratefulness.org. The site walks you through the process, and you get a tiny window of your candle burning on your computer when you're done. You can shut the window if you want to, your candle burns for 48 hours whether you display it or not. Lighting a candle takes another 2 minutes of my day.
"But I've had a horrible day (week, year, whatever)! What do I possibly have to be grateful for?" Here are some of my gratitude journal entries from the last few months:
A great new client. Mom's doing well. Reading by the beach. Early to bed. Great workshop response. My husband arrived safely. Reconnecting with old friend. Little tulips at the end of the road. My heat works. My daughter's sense of humor.
See, it's not that hard. As a recognized expert at copping an attitude, let me tell you that copping some gratitude is much, much easier.
Barbara Bellissimo is a women's life transformation coach, and author of the bestselling book, "Become Your Own Great and Powerful: A Woman's Guide to Leading Your Real, Big Life." Visit http://www.seasonsofsuccess.com to get her no-cost special report--"Turn On Your Power and Lead Your Self to Greatness"--and her easy-to-use tools and ideas for leading the real, big life you want--right now!
