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Let's Do A Simple Exercise

Look at the picture above and describe to me what you see. Most people will talk the dark spot in the middle of the picture. They will describe the size of the dark spot and it's position. Much of the description will be focused on the dark spot and only few will talk about the white background which occupies more than 95% of the picture. The natural tendency it seems is to pay most of our attention to the dark spot while ignoring the white background.

The Dark Spots Of Our Life

In very much the same way in our daily lives, we tend to focus too much attention on the dark spots of our lives. We seem oblivious to the blessings and the 101 other things that are right in our lives. Instead of being happy that we have a job, we tend to complain that our co-workers are uncooperative and our boss is unappreciative of our hard work. In our personal lives, our dark spots could be a failed relationship or health issues. For those who are married, they tend to notice that their spouse does not understand them or their children are to whiny or indiscipline. The list of complaints continue.

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Practicing Gratitude Daily

Since our natural tendency is to focus on the dark spots rather than the blessings of our lives, it is important to practice gratitude in our daily lives. People who practice gratitude daily will be happier and seem to sail through life with a smile. This does not mean that they did not encounter any problems, difficulties or challenges. It is because despite of the problems, difficulties and challenges that they faced, they are able to give things to the blessings and other things which are right in their lives.

Here, I will like to share with you, how you can practice gratitude daily.

Keep a gratitude journal. Write in this journal daily, all the simple things that happen in our daily routine such as the nice jog in the park this morning rather than expressing our gratitude only for milestone achievements such as a job promotion.

Recall who had helped you today and thank him with a phone call or a gratitude note.

Keep a gratitude jar. Write down what you are grateful for, put it in a jar. Periodically empty the jar and read what is being written.

Do the lotus of gratitude exercise. When you wake up or when about to go to sleep, sit up on the bed. Close your 10 fingers. Each time you think about something you are grateful for, open your fingers. Do this until all your fingers are fully opened. I get this idea from the video below:

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Reach out to others. You can go this by volunteering for an organization which help others or find opportunities in your daily life where you can lift up the spirits of others with simple acts such as a smile, giving compliments, opening the door for others or help the elderly to cross the road.

When you are grateful, you will feel positive and it is difficult for you to feel sorry for yourself or to become depressed. And your life will be much happier. Lastly please take a few minutes of your time to write in the comments section, what you are grateful for today.

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Gratefully Yours
Charles

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