Most of our emotional stress is created by thinking of the things we don’t have, or wishing that our life, our body, our relationship was different that it actually is.  This sets up inner conflict and a cycle of thoughts that repeat themselves, causing further physical and emotional distress.

Adopting an attitude of gratitude allows us to look at what we have, instead of what we don’t.  This doesn’t mean we have to ignore our feelings and become passive in our life.  It means that we focus our attention firmly on what we are trying to create and move toward what is likely more difficult to achieve. It is easy to indulge our feelings in the moment, yet as a result, we deny ourselves our goals and dreams by doing so.

So as I take myself off to the gym to work out, not really feeling like it, but doing it anyway, I feel grateful to my mother who planted the words in my head, "you never get what you want by sitting around moping.  Just go do something about it."  Not strong on empathy, but strong on empowerment.  If I want a healthy body throughout my life, I will keep going in that difficult direction, with my mother’s words in my head, even when I don’t feel like it.

Share your gratitude attitude with us.  We all need support in maintaining this approach to life.

Anne Dranitsaris