Do you ever notice your mind focusing on all the things that are wrong in your life? Do you often think about the “what-ifs”, worries, and stresses of the present and future? If so, we need to turn your negative thoughts into positive ones!
Positive thoughts create positive outcomes. One fast and very effective way to create positivity is through gratitude. When we think about what we’re thankful for, we focus only on the good things in our lives. This helps shift negative thinking to positive thinking. Gratitude is something I will continue to talk about in posts to come, but for now, here’s our first challenge….
CHALLENGE #1 – Write down ten NEW things you are grateful for every day for a week. (And try to continue the practice afterwards!)
If you do this every day for a week, you will have a list of 70 different things you are grateful for. You will become more aware of just how many great things, people, and gifts you have in your life!
To get you started, here is a list of 70 things I’m grateful for. Mine are a little general to give you more ideas, but you should try to be as specific as possible. For example: friends, family, food, animals, etc. should be listed as specific friends, specific family members, and so on.
- my friends (you can list each friend separately)
- my family (same as friends – you can list separately)
- my hubby
- my dogs
- music
- animals
- my super comfy robe
- meditation
- being able to pay my bills
- FOOD
- freedom
- trees
- obstacles in life (We learn from them!)
- Fall/Autumn
- parties
- paved roads
- colorful, changing leaves
- sports
- beaches
- sleeping in
- police officers, firefighters, hospital personnel, military, teachers, etc…
- indoor plumbing
- a fully functioning body
- Game of Thrones
- my kayak
- water
- Saturdays
- couches
- my house
- having a job
- being able to breathe clean air
- University of Maryland
- holidays
- health insurance
- my bed
- my perfect pillow
- Netflix
- the five senses
- therapists and life coaches
- exercise
- movies
- my backyard
- flowers
- sunscreen
- coconut oil
- creativity
- being literate
- sunglasses
- Cirque du Soleil – Varakei (the only show I’ve been to but it was great!)
- books
- pinball
- dog crates
- grass
- rivers
- socks
- flip flops
- warm slippers
- Internet
- the ability and freedom to pursue different careers
- USA
- PGSPCA (local animal rescue group)
- people who care about the environment
- a good pen to write with
- my computer
- being able to travel
- my car’s heated seats (It feels good to have a warm butt in the winter!)
- recycling
- creativity
- restaurants
- love
I have been doing this for about a month now, and I feel a major change in my mindset. It’s far easier to turn my negative thinking into positive thinking when I realize how many wonderful things I’m lucky to have in my life. So, what are YOU grateful for?
Until next time, happy living!
=) Mary
Satisfy the Soul 