Lately my attitudes have been quite negative, which makes sense because there's so much negativity around - why not focus on it? You feel justified when you gripe about it. People listen and sing along with your woes and troubles. It's easy - I don't have to look too far to find it. If asked to write 50 negative things about life, I could probably write 100. Yet, if asked to write 50 positives...I might struggle and only get 31.
Being positive is hard, but being positive is an attitude and attitude is a choice. We have to choose to see the good in the world and I believe positivity roots itself in gratitude. Think of the person in your life whom you see expressing the most positivity - what's different about them? Typically it's not because they're wealthy enough for happiness; it's not about the things they possess. It's not because life has dealt them an easy card; they have struggles and heartache. So what is it? Could it be that they're simply grateful? Perhaps the secret behind happiness is being thankful for your life, the people in it, and the things that surround you. So here's my attempt. I may not have gotten to 50, but I have 31 ways that I can choose to view the world by and bring just a little bit more happiness into my life.
1) ...the ability to get a higher EDUCATION. (even Spanish...)
2) ...my ever-supportive FAMILY. (in all seasons)
3) ...ENCOURAGING people. (known and unknown)
4) ...NEW friends. (fresh and inviting)
5) ...OLD friends. (rickety and deep)
6) ...a DREAM-filled life. (visions, goals and passion)
7) ...unfailing LOVE. (now and what's to be)
8) ...STARS in the sky. (and lying beneath them)
9) ...natural BEAUTIES of the Earth. (except for smelly places)
10) ...MY CAT. (not any other cat)
11) ...a blank FUTURE. (to be colored with life yet to be)
12) ...SHY people. (of depth, heart and knowledge)
13) ...OUTGOING people. (of joy, courage and spontaneity)
14) ...TECHNOLOGY. (and for those who know how to use it)
15) ...the WARMTH all around. (physical and spiritual)
16) ...LIGHT. (and the ability to see)
17) ...the SOUNDS that envelop me. (natural and musical)
18) ...FLAVOR. (of life, love, and fooooood)
19) ...people of HOSPITALITY. (serving the world)
20) ...a BODY. (of health, function, and sexiness)
21) ...a BRAIN. (thoughts, wonders, and precious storage)
22) ...STRUGGLE. (and the growth it provides)
23) ...cute CRUSHES. (keeping hearts beating and eyes batting)
24) ...SUNSETS. (and the circle of life)
25) ...bountiful LAUGHTER. (elation and charm)
26) ...calming PEACE. (in the middle of a storm)
27) ...plethoras of BOOKS. (of knowledge and imagination)
28) ...TIME. (making life precious)
29) ...DIVERSITY. (of places, people, thoughts, and culture)
30) ...mysterious SPIRITUALITY. (and God who provides it)
31) ...a heart of GRATITUDE. (because this was hard)
31 Gratitudes for the last 31 one days of the last month of this year.
What are YOU thankful for?
If you have any questions or comments that you would like a response to, please comment at any time or email me at walkauthentic@gmail.com and I'll try to answer them for you. This is a journey I want us to take together.
