I call it my Attitude of Gratitude list because it improves my attitude. I realize it may sound like cheesy, religious spiel or something you see on Oprah but I think it helps to calm me if I focus on all the good in my life instead of the stupidly wrong. It certainly lightens my attitude enough to not want to plot the diabolical ends of people who piss me off. Well, no, I still do that I just don't act on it and I thank my Gratitude list for that.
I also don't walk around all "Mary Sunshine" either but when I start to feel down or can't sleep it's nice to pull out this mental list. It reminds me of what matters.
My Gratitude list probably includes the same as a lot of peoples: family, good friends, a home, a job (if you're fortunate enough to have one, especially one you enjoy). I mention stuff I sometimes take for granted like good physical health and little things like my love of reading and writing.
Then there are those who make the list automatically no matter how much they annoyed the crap out of me like Bill or my mom. But not the dogs next door who are always barking their little heads off like wind-up toys, no they go on the List-to-plot-the-diabolical-ends-of-but-don't-actually-do-it. They should be grateful for that list.
Anyway, everyone has something or some things that they are grateful for. Do you have a list and what (or who) is on it? Feel free to share.
It's amazing how much our attitude can change our outlook. Last night I was having a panic attack, again, about taking my dog to the vet. I started imagining all the things that could be wrong with him. I had to force myself to take deep breaths and think happy positive thoughts. It helped, but it takes such effort for me to focus on the positive and not dwell on the negative. Great post!
ReplyDeleteNegative thoughts seem to bombard us while the positive we need to seek out. Weird how that works. Hope your dog is ok.
DeleteAttitude is everything. Nothing helps a bad or negative mood like sending out a few thank you notes... at least for me!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea. Although I would do emails, I'm too lazy for actual thank you notes. lol
DeleteI used to write an Attitude of Gratitude post every Sunday. As to why I stopped - I was blogging too much to appreciate the little things in my life :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you get back to your Sunday Gratitude posting. We need to make time for the little things. I should follow my own advice. ah well.
DeleteEveryone should have a list like this. Something to check in with whenever life gets rough. Good idea :)
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteGreat idea! I'm gonna work on it right now, but I won't share. It's mine. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you like it. No need to share, just go have fun with it.
DeleteOne year, I was having particularly bad morale among my students, and I went to a teacher conference where I picked up the idea of having them keep a gratitude journal. And you know what? To an extent, it improved things. A little gratitude can go a long way. (And math bores me, too.)
ReplyDeleteHey that's a great idea! I wish I could have done that in school..instead of algebra. *eye roll*
ReplyDelete