Change your perspective--be more grateful

A message from Sandy. Many times we take things for granted. We tend to focus on what we lack and forget about all the things we have. Our lack of appreciation can come in many forms, we might wish we had more money, were in better physical shape, or were smarter. These areas where we perceive lack can be consuming and really steal our joy and satisfaction with life.

When things aren’t going well, and we are dissatisfied, we focus on the things that we wished were different. When things are going well, it’s easier to appreciate things and feel more satisfied. This in itself is a good reason to cultivate gratitude in order for us to experience greater satisfaction overall, and get off the roller coaster that may impact our satisfaction based on if things are going well, or not.

Satisfaction can be explored by examining the different aspects of our lives, such as relationships, health, finances, and spirituality. We may have varying levels of satisfaction in different areas, and by recognizing these areas we can gain greater awareness of where we struggle to be grateful.

There is an exercise for enhancing gratitude called 3 GOOD THINGS. This exercise is a simple activity where you reflect on your day and write down a few things you appreciate and are grateful for. It requires just a few minutes a day and can include anything from relationships, interests, or personal traits.

Here are a few questions to consider asking yourself:

• Who are 3 people in your life you are grateful for?
• What 3 things you are grateful for relating to your physical health?
• What are 3 things you are grateful for regarding where you live, or your home environment?
• What are 3 gifts of unique talent and skills that you possess?
• What are 3 things you appreciate about your work?
• What are 3 gifts of knowledge and experience you have been exposed to?

When we start to focus on what we are grateful for it can be an eye-opening experience. We can learn that even though we may not be where we want in life, we can still be content and thankful for what we have.