"Don't become a victim of yourself. Forget about the thief waiting in the alley; what about the thief in your mind?"
So how to change that mindset, to take time to pause and consider what are the things that bring me joy and what am I grateful for?
Family I am so grateful to have a family that loves and supports me for who I am especially when at my worst. For my extended Family and for the four gorgeous grandchildren I have been blessed with.
Friends For great friends who have been there through thick and thin. For old friends, new friends and those I have yet to meet.
Work For a job that I enjoy and love (most days) and for the trust families have in entrusting their precious children to my care.
Health we often take our good health for granted. Even though not in perfect health at the moment,I am grateful for what I have and thankful that I do not have to face at this time the challenges and chronic illness that others live with on a day to day basis.
Inner Strength I am stronger than I think and I am grateful for what I have achieved, endured and lived through, it can only lead to good things. Take a moment and appreciate what you’re good at, how well you manage.
Painful Lessons Now this may seem a strange thing to be grateful for but some of life’s lessons are inevitably going to be painful. However, I have discovered that the harder the lesson – the more potential for growth it represents. Be grateful for life’s hard lessons, for the pain and the suffering – because it will help you grow – is a really nice way to turn something bad into something good.
Perspective Looking at things in perspective is another one of life’s blessings. It’s so much easier in hindsight than in the moment! Be grateful when you manage to look at a situation differently, from another persons point of view or you see consequences for different actions. Seeing things from another person’s perspective is often painful and hard, and it will often make us grow as human beings. Being able to feel gratitude when looking at a time when you experienced painful growth will double it.
A Great Book Getting lost in a really good novel, is a wonderful feeling.Sometimes it amazes me how words on paper can bring me so much joy!
Great Music For the same reasons as above, music has the power to transform my mood and nothing is better than some music to dance to while you do your housework or to get me through a run or workout
Life So easy to overlook, but so so fundamental. I am grateful for being alive.
The Small Things The magic really is in the small things. A spontaneous meal with friends, a cup of coffee, sunshine through my window, a small moment of joy, a child's laughter – all are really small things that give me tremendous amounts of happiness.
My Body last but not least (though this list is in no particular order) I am grateful for my body, with all it's flaws and imperfections. I am grateful for legs that let me walk , dance and run and a body that is strong enough to enjoy and do the crossfit I love (even if it is modified).
Funny how many things you can find to be grateful for when you start looking with fresh eyes.
What brings Joy to your life?
What are you grateful for today?
