“A Grateful Heart is a Magnet for Miracles.”
There is something about having a grateful heart, it puts things into perspective. It refocuses your attention and makes you care less about things that don’t matter. Eventhough I feel it is a major component to our character as humans, I don’t believe that it is something that comes naturally. Gratefulness is something that you must be intentional about. I have really made this a priority in my life and it is something that I am working to develop daily.
Here are a few of the things that really help me in cultivating a heart of gratefulness.
SHIFT YOUR FOCUS
Train your mind to focus on the good things in your life and not on everything you want or don’t have. When you begin to do this you will start to see all the wonderful things in your life that you have to be grateful for. You will be amazed at how much you take for granted.
NOT LOOKING AT WHAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE
It’s easier now more than ever to see what everyone one else is doing, or where they’re going on vacation, or how big their new house is. The thing about this is that you will be so involved in everyone else’s life and their “perfect feed” that you will start to want what they have. You can only see the good because people rarely share their struggles and shortcomings; you don’t know what someone is really going through. We saw this recently with the news about Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, they both had what seemed to be the perfect life, no one knew the torment and internal struggles they had until it was too late. When you find yourself playing the comparison game it’s time to take a step back and reconnect with what you have to be grateful for.
DON’T OVERDUE SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media can be both good and bad, I am all for this outlet when it comes to marketing and branding yourself and your business. It’s a great tool when used properly. It can also have it’s downsides because like I mentioned earlier, it can get you all off focus and totally obsessed with what everyone else is doing. In this case I use the rule of “everything in moderation”. You have to know your limits, you know when you feel yourself start to feel that twinge of envy or jealousy. When you start to second guess yourself and how blessed you really are compared to other people. When this happens that is the time to unplug and reconnect. I don’t think we have to get rid of social media all together, but I do think we should use wisdom.
DAILY DEVOTIONS
Spending time with the Lord and taking time to study God’s word is the simplest way to reconnect and shift your perspective on what is REAL and TRUE and IMPORTANT. At the end of the day Jesus is the only constant in this life of instability.
NOT LIVING WITH A SENSE OF ENTITLEMENT
I’m just going to say it, entitlement is a killer. It will suck the life out of every good thing around you. It can destroy friendships, families, business opportunities and so much more. It is the polar opposite of being grateful, you walk around feeling like people owe you something. You don’t feel like you have to work hard or earn anything, but that things are supposed to just happen or people are supposed to just give you everything. This life is a gift and we should be thankful for every single second.
WRITING THINGS DOWN
Writing things down changes the game; this is true with your goals, your schedule and being grateful. Writing out the things you’re grateful for really forces you to sit down and think about all the amazing things in your life. Being able to see it in black and white reminds you that, wow life is really good! You can always go back to it whenever you have a moment of forgetfulness.
SELF EXAMINATION
Honesty is such an important part of life, honesty with God and with yourself about who you truly are is the only way to grow and be a better person. I had to do some serious soul searching and ask myself some hard questions in order to take the steps to being a more grateful person. It’s difficult when you see areas that you know you need to improve, but it will make you stronger and you’ll be able to help other people.
WHAT AM I GRATEFUL FOR?
- I am seriously grateful to have healthy children that I can hold and kiss everyday.
- Having a husband that is so supportive of my dreams and loves me more than I feel I deserve sometimes.
- Being able to choose and change my mind. I didn’t realize how much we take this freedom for granted. If my life is not the way I want it to be, today I can decide to take the necessary steps to change it and make it better. I am not at the mercy of any one. I am in control of my destiny and I have everything that I need to become everything I dream I can be. SAME GOES FOR YOU!
I am so grateful for you guys and to have a platform to share my heart with you. Share something you’re grateful for in the comments.
