“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.”
-Marcus Tullius Cicero

Gratitude literally changes your brain in a beautiful way. Neuroscience shows that the power of gratitude can wire your brain to be optimistic and compassionate – this hits those dopamine receptors that help you feel good. Look around, the more you look, the more you will be grateful for.

We don’t always have control over the circumstances of our life, however, we have the ability to be grateful in spite of what’s going on. There’s always so much to be grateful for. Truly there is…

Be grateful for the little things.
Be grateful for the big things.
Be grateful for all the things in the middle.
Look around.
Look within.
Look up.

There’s so much to be grateful for when we take time to reflect. Write down what you are grateful for and express it to those you love, through a text, a phone call a face to face conversation and mabe putting pen to paper and writing a note. Most importantly express your gratitude to a loving Heavenly Father above who watches over you and blesses you with so much.

I see a direct link between my level of positive emotions (happiness, joy, peace) when my thoughts are focused on things I’m grateful for.

When the focus is on all the things that aren’t going right in our lives, I want you to ask yourself “how does that make me feel?” What results do you get when you focus on all the challenges? More of the same, and you prolong the suffering. I really believe this to be true…

Until you CHOOSE to change the lens (your thoughts) in which you look through things are going to seem pretty bleak.

I’ve been on both sides. I’m human. I’m learning. I’m trying to show up better each time.

It’s miserable to be in a negative mind space. I’m not saying you can’t have yourself a ‘lil pity party, I’m just saying don’t spend too much mind juice on the “whoa is me.”

Hindsight is always 20/20. We can look back and see that all the difficult things we have been through is what has strengthened our character. It’s made us better. When we are in the thick of it it’s not easy to be grateful for these soul-stretching experiences that are expanding who we are. Or can we be? I think we can…

I’m trying harder to be grateful in ALL things. Not just when things are flowing the way I want them to. I’m working harder to be grateful for the challenges in my life because I believe they are an opportunity for personal growth.

I know that when our lens is more focused on gratitude, and when we ask questions like “what can I learn from this challenge” we end up not being in the storm as long as we are not putting up resistance with the whoa-is-me or this-isn’t-fair mentality (I’m guilty of both and so much more). I’m human.

Give yourself some grace if you’ve been there, and then choose, because the choice is yours, to choose thoughts that are centered and rooted in gratitude.

Just watch what will blossom in your life when you plant seeds of gratitude. Everything is more beautiful.

I’m grateful for all the things that I’ve been through! I’m a fierce and passionate warrior and it has brought me to the point in my life where I help women step into their God-given talents as they pursue what their purpose is. I’d love to offer you a free mini coaching session to see if I can help you get clear on your purpose. Check out the link in my bio and sign up for a free session.

Much love,
Tammy