GRATITUDE

Robert Emmons, defines gratitude as  “a felt sense of wonder, thankfulness, and appreciation for life.”
Gratitude encompasses many things. It is appreciation or looking at the bright side,  it is thanking someone in your life; it is thanking God, definitely it is counting blessings, and not taking things for granted.  Expressing gratitude is a lot more than saying thank you. It is opening our hearts to the enormity of life, to the bounteous blessings that are ours.

WHAT? You say you don’t have any blessings.... you don’t have the things that you want or maybe need!  Well then you aren’t looking hard enough!
Research has shown some interesting things in this area. People who are consistently grateful have been found to be happier, more energetic, and more hopeful.  Those very same people also tend to be more helpful and sympathetic , more spiritual and religious, more forgiving, and less materialistic than others who aren’t so grateful.
I listened to a teacher once telling us how to experience joy by expressing gratitude for everything in life.  I mean everything!!!  She said not only be grateful for the good, happy and positive things in life but to express gratitude for the hard, scary, and troubled times. 

Well I have to tell you I thought she was off her rocker!  Yup.... obviously she hadn’t struggled like I had or suffered like some.  But the more I listened to her the more I started seeing that life is meant to be lived – under all circumstances, and that learning to be grateful through it all opens our  hearts and minds more easily, so we can always be  looking and then finding that hidden blessing.  
It is also easier to feel deep and abiding love for God, for family, friends, and unique circumstances that bless our lives each day. 

Helen Keller said: “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched.  They must be felt with the heart.”

When you are full of true gratitude you build your self-confidence, because you recognize your blessings, the life and lessons that are yours to keep and learn from.   It builds your self-worth. 
There is a quote I have heard in the energy world that I like.....
BREATH IN LOVE..... BREATH OUT GRATITUDE!
It’s a good practice to get into!!

http://www.sheronnewman.com