As humans, to be grateful is not as “natural” as you think. Take a look at your social media…it’s seems to be much easier for people to complain and spew hateful words and share pain and hardship, then to elude love for others and themselves.  

You’ll see things like relationship struggles, a friend complaining about a bad commute or an accident, a messy house, bad service at a restaurant..I could go on and on. Whatever the reason, most people focus on the negative, focusing on the things they DON’T have or coming up with excuses for their own mishaps.

I even spend most days behind the camera listening to people criticize themselves with words like:

“I’m too fat!”

“I can’t do this.”

“Make me look different.”

All of this negativity leads to a sense of powerlessness over how we feel! And even funnier, the more you do it, the more you attract more of the same into your life.

Because Misery attracts Misery.

This makes me so sad. I was there.

12-13 years ago when I could have lived in my sadness and misery…I just lost both of my parents and got divorced. It felt normal to feel out of sorts. It felt normal for me to go with the status quo and just “be”…

Until I woke up.

A mentor of mine introduced me to small book called “The Greatest Salesman in the World,” by Og Mandino. I learned quickly that I could change my life with priceless wisdom and philosophy lessons that have been around for 100's of years. Mandino tells us that we should, “greet each day with love in your heart” and those words stuck with me! I had a choice.

I had thankfully reversed my ways into a life with an attitude of gratitude. It took studying, reading, self-discipline, and lots of practice.

I began to focus on what’s good in my life, not what I was missing. I started looking at the little things that seemed forgotten, like heat in my house, a cozy bed, the ability to rise in the morning and sit up, no pain in my joints, aleve when I did have pain, naps, hot coffee that my husband makes every day, baths, the sound of giggling girls in my house, the ability to walk and see, the ability to breathe clean air, the sunlight, the stars in the darkness, silence, or noises all around. I began to notice everything.

And huge shift came.

I was less stressed.

I slept better.

I was crushing my goals.

I made more money.

I started to clean the “negativity” off my social channels and began to surround myself with like-minded people and found my tribe. I said goodbye to naysayers and debbie-downers.

For LIKE ATTRACTs LIKE!!

I wanted to surround myself (and I still do) with people that are like me, that share big goals, that are risk takers, noise makers (in a good way) and game changers. I have no time for anything else.

THEN, I had to share it with everyone I knew. I wanted my family and friends to recognize that as you start focusing on what’s good in your life along with all of the blessings surrounding you, the lightbulb goes off and the magic begins. All of a sudden, the Universe is on your side!! Which, then causes the positive experiences in our life to grow and expand.

EVERY single day, I want you to write 5-10 things you are grateful for. Like any other muscle in our body, our mind needs to be exercised. As you work that muscle, the easier it becomes.

As a result, gratitude will impact and transform your life in so many ways:

You will become more relaxed and at ease. 

You will become stronger and more confident in your decision-making.

You will appreciate more and complain less. 

You will see that life simply becomes sweeter and more fun through practicing gratitude. And the happier and more content we are, the kinder we become to those around us – and all of those around you will feel it, too.

And people will want what you have. 

Then, you share it.

 See Elaine's Journals on Amazon HERE