Be Grateful, Give Thanks and Discover Life

"If the only prayer you said in your life was "thank you," that would suffice."
-- Meister Eckhart

Gratitude, such a simple word but one rarely used appropriately. It can be one of the most challenging things to do or say. Why is that? Consider for a moment how often you use the word and mean it, not just as a habit, when someone does something for you. How often do you pause and reflect on all the wonderful things you have in your life that you are thankful for?

Gratitude is an appreciation of what you have and being thankful for all of it. But it is so much more than that - it is an attitude toward life. This attitude is the blueprint for your life. A life devoid of thankfulness is a life devoid of love and passion. Without it, nothing new can enter your life. If you don't appreciate what you have, how can you receive anything more?

What does this all mean? It means that whatever you are waiting for (abundance, happiness, contentment, success), will come to you only when you are ready to receive it with an open and grateful heart.

Only then can you truly experience the gift you have been given. Even in pain and suffering, there are lessons to learn if you are open and grateful for the experience. That is why some of the most profound lessons have come in times of suffering. Nelson Mandela said, "There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires."

Being grateful reminds all to focus on what is good in your life. Too many times, the focus is on what you don't have which creates feelings of resentment and bitterness. Life is never as bad as it seems. It is all about your perception. It is your attitude that created the environment you have. Hence, focus on the good in your life and what you want to create and you shall receive, as the Law of Attraction states.

Use Positive Language

Don't use words like 'but', 'at least', 'in the future'. (For example, "I am happy but..." "At least I have my health"). These suggest a superficial form of gratitude. You know you should be content but it's not enough. You temporarily feel grateful but your attitude is artificial because you want more.

There is nothing wrong with wanting more but your attitude determines your sincerity. Instead use statements like "I am grateful for this experience that has come into my life. It has been the catalyst for change."

Say It Like You Mean It

You just can't say the words. You have to mean what you say, feel it and believe it. "I am grateful for this experience, I've learnt so much." You can't say this and then turn around and say, "Why is this happening to me, I don't deserve this." This implies that you are not grateful and don't believe what you are saying. You are just saying it for the sake of it. At first you may not believe the statement but if you repeat it often enough you will eventually come to mean it and understand it.

Do It with Actions

Back up your words with actions. If you are grateful for having the experience, don't harp on the negatives - learn your lesson and move on. If the same experience keeps repeating itself you are not learning your lesson. You are focusing only on the negatives and you are not choosing to see the positives. There are always positives in any situation. It is up to you to find them.

Use Gratitude Every Day

Every morning when you wake up, be grateful that you are seeing another day as there are many people who won't. This simple ritual will change your attitude each day and transform your life.

One of the great truths is that life itself is a gift. Being grateful for this existence and this experience is independent of situations and circumstances. You choose this attitude towards your life. As your practice this more and more, it becomes part of your reality and it encompasses all that you do. As you move towards 'being' grateful all the time you activate the Law of Attraction because it becomes a part of you and you will attract circumstances you want.

As John F. Kennedy said, "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."

For more information contact Anna Cairo at: apc@izone.net.au or 0417 010 877. She is also a graduate from the Certificate IV in Life Coaching. For more information about Anna and her life coaching services, visit her Institute page at www.lcia.com.au/annacairo.