Even when times are rough, we can find things to be grateful for: a friendship, a pet, the warmth of the sun, our resilience, family, the flowers along the path, our ability to breathe, to read, to walk, birdsong, rain, sunrises. While we can’t always choose what thoughts pop into our heads, or what events happen to us, we do get to choose how much energy we feed particular ideas. We can inhibit negative thoughts and redirect to better choices. We can focus our attention on that which makes us smile, moves us forward, or gives us support, rather than on that which makes us feel bad. Expanding gratitude involves not taking things for granted (like our shirt!) and not taking things personally. Awareness, inhibition and redirection is a simple and challenging way to change our habits of thought and emotional experience.
"Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” Eckhart Tolle
“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” Oprah Winfrey