I know that sounds cliché, but gratitude has truly shifted my perspective and altered my outlook on my life. I used to only notice the things that were wrong in my life, never really giving much thought to all that I had and all that was going right. Once I started to express my gratitude about the big and little things, the goodness in my life multiplied.

I started by taking time to write down at least 3 things I was thankful for every day. I did my best to think of new things as often as possible. For example, if I wrote down that I was thankful for lights, I wouldn’t write the same thing down the next day.

Gradually, it became a daily practice, and then I started to express gratitude more often (outside of the daily list). My attitude and perspective about things that were going wrong in my life also changed. I started to find myself thankful even when I was faced with a challenge or a hiccup in my day.

Recently, I had some car troubles. In the past, any car troubles made me feel anxious and upset. When I was faced with an issue with my car this last time, I took it in stride. I found myself being thankful that I was able to afford repairs to my car and thankful that I even had a car. I was thankful that the car issue happened while parked and not while driving. I was thankful that I was safe.

The more I expressed gratitude in my daily life, the better I was able to handle situations and cope. I also found looking on the bright side and remaining realistically optimistic easier. I wasn’t jumping to the worst case scenario anymore.

Gratitude has made it easy for me to deal with the hard days in my life. It is a reminder that even when a lot feels like it’s going wrong, there is a lot that is going right and a lot to be thankful for.

Please, don’t mistake what I am saying. I am not saying to invalidate or not feel sad, upset, angry, disappointed, etc. Your feelings are completely valid, and they should be felt! I think it’s healthy to express and feel a range of emotions, especially when the situation calls for it.

I am simply saying to give more power to the good in your life. Give more attention to the good in your life. Express more joy about the good in your life.

Thankfulness has made me see the beauty in my life, in myself, in the world, and in others. It has opened the door to more thankfulness. It is true, that when we focus on the good, it multiplies. Reality might not change, but your perspective will. Once your perspective changes, then your life will change.

When you focus on the good, the good gets better.

Abraham Hicks