Did you know that being grateful in EVERY SITUATION you face brings more happiness into your life? Even the not very pleasant ones such as sickness, the loss of someone you love or maybe a change in a relationship. If you stop and look there is always something to be grateful for. It’s all in YOUR attitude. We all know what it is like to wait. We do it all the time. Holly Whitcomb in the “Seven Spiritual Gifts of Waiting” stated that she believes “that we are blessed with insight when life circumstances put us on hold.” She challenges us “The next time you find yourself waiting impatiently and feeling that you deserve better, pause. Your waiting is offering you a choice: Bemoan your circumstances or be grateful for your blessings. Remember what is going well. Breathe in a little gratitude…. When we are waiting, we are vulnerable-and our hearts are open. Therein lies the gift: Our open hearts teach us to notice the blessings of small things we would have never noticed before….” Gratitude can do so much for your life. It turns obstacles into opportunity, it moves us beyond entitlement and it opens our eyes to the blessings of small things.

I was chatting with my friend Meg over the Thanksgiving holiday about my Gratitude theme for 2013. We both commented that with everything that is happening around us each day we’ve noticed that people are doing a lot of whining. And that included the two of us! She remarked, “When I find myself complaining I STOP and say, ‘give me five’ NOW.” Yes, I thought the same thing, push-ups. But then I would be complaining about doing the push-ups. And then I would have to do five more and even though my abs and triceps would benefit from this, would it help me to focus on the blessings that I am grateful for? Probably not! We laughed and what she meant was “give me five things you are GRATEFUL for NOW!” This puts a whole new perspective on a situation and you will be amazed at how it changes your attitude.
So I am asking YOU to take the GRATITUDE CHALLENGE with me for 2013. When you find yourself waiting, complaining, feeling entitled or challenged by some obstacle – “STOP and GIVE ME FIVE” and make GRATITUDE YOU ATTITUDE.