1.  Count your blessings.

So often we fail to count our blessings.  We busy ourselves looking at the things that that we do not have instead of the things that we have.  We fail to see the gift of today which enables us to experience life.   We are blessed with the beauty of nature.  We are blessed with the gift of friends and family and people who care for us.  We are blessed with the power to create.  We are blessed with good health.   There are many things that we can count as blessings, we just have to pay attention to them.  

2. Instead of complaining, focus on what went right.

When we focus on what went right instead of what went wrong, we see an experience to be more pleasant.  Have you ever gone in to a restaurant and you waited for almost an hour to get the food? The scenario goes like this. 

You order something.  The food arrives 45 minutes later.  You can see that the place is busy.   The food was excellent and the waiter was courteous and apologetic.  Do you focus on the lateness on the food or do you focus on the excellent taste and good service? You can let it go or you can stew.  It comes down with your choice.  Are you going to choose anger over gratitude?   Gratitude will say, Thank you for this delicious meal.  Thank you for this nourishment today. Ungratefulness will say, “This place sucks.  They can’t cook fast enough.  They are inefficient.  I won’t come here again.”  Two different reactions  depending on what one decided to focus on. 

To take it even further, the grateful standpoint would have learned from the experience and empathize.  “I can see that they are busy, they must be going through a lot of stress.  It might not be a good idea to come during this hour next time.”

A grateful attitude will make good of any situation.   There is no place for anger because your mind is focused on the positive.   

3. See your life as a miracle. 

Your body is a miracle.  Your brain, your organs, your whole body function together so you can breath, eat, walk, think, etc.  You are an amazing machine and it’s hard not to be thankful for being a thinking creative machine.  It makes life more exciting, knowing that you have this ability to create the life that you want. For example, you have thoughts of I’m not good enough or I’m not smart enough.  But you are enough because you are love.  You are created for a reason, for a purpose.  You did not accidentally get here.  Your life is a miraculous manifestation of love and its up to you to appreciate it so that you can use it for the good. 

4.  Stop comparing yourself with others and realize that you are unique and getting better each day. 

When you compare yourself with others, you fail to see your own gifts.  There will always be someone out there who will be better than you.  All you can do is grow each day and be grateful.  If you compare yourself to Miss Universe, then you will be doomed.  You will have seen yourself as less pretty, less intelligent and less fit.  You have only yesterday’s version of yourself to compare yourself to.  If you are grateful, you can see how stronger you have become and how you have accumulated more wisdom.  Be grateful for every part of you. You are unique and  beautiful in your own way.

5.  Let go of entitlement and look for ways on how you can give.

The world does not owe you anything.  You are not more important than anyone.  It does not matter if you are rich or poor, famous or not famous, educated or uneducated.  Those are mere labels.  We cannot put a label on spirit.  If we honor that part of ourselves, we cannot make ourselves feel more important.  Take off the focus off of yourself and help others instead.  Volunteer your time, help someone in need, be there for a friend, etc. as long as it is focused on service. 

6.  Let go of regret.

If you are regretful, it will be difficult to be grateful.   It’s your choice.  You can regret past mistakes or you can look at them as opportunities for growth.  In reality, there are no wasted time or experience.  Everything contributed to where you are today.  Be thankful for everything, even if they were negative experiences, for they made you stronger and helped shape your character.   You cannot give of your full presence if you are stuck in yesterday.

When people do not feel blessed, they tend to withdraw from giving.  Grateful people are happy to give because they have opened themselves to life.  Do you give of your time?  Do you give of your attention?  Do you give out of love, not expecting anything in return?  

We receive from others and we receive from God and so we give.  We trust that we will be provided.  The acts of giving and receiving are based on trust. We trust that God is the source of our giving and the same energy comes back to us when we are receiving.   The heart is motivated to give because that is what it is called to do.  The nature of love is abundance.  The nature of love is giving.  The nature of love is healing and nurturance.  Always remember that Love is your nature.