| In these tough economic times it is easy to fall into a | | | | 5. Thank as many people as you can for little things |
| funk. Reflecting on your personal situation can leave | | | | you notice them doing that contributes to your |
| you feeling weak and blah. You can learn to stretch | | | | happiness. Their smile will add to the quality of your |
| your gratitude muscle and pump up your positivity. | | | | life. Thank the bag boy at the grocery store, hug |
| Here are 7 tips to unleash your Gratitude Guru: | | | | your neighbor, or give the dog an extra pat. |
| 1. Get up every morning and remind yourself of one | | | | 6. When someone is nasty to you, complains or tells |
| thing you are grateful for. Maybe it is just being able | | | | you something you don't want to hear, listen to what |
| to get up and get moving. Focus on what you | | | | they say. Here's the tough part. Again, ask yourself, |
| have-not what you don't have. Be appreciative of | | | | "What is my opportunity"? Perhaps people pay |
| your family, your health, your pet. | | | | attention to you and appreciate you. The happiest |
| 2. Throughout the day, make a list of all the things | | | | people have the best social connections. Or maybe |
| you are grateful for. Carry a cool notebook to journal | | | | you can remind yourself that you are still healthy and |
| the good stuff. You will start to feel happy just | | | | be grateful that you are able to work. If you look for |
| looking at it. Or write in it before you go to bed. | | | | ways to mine for the gold of what is good about |
| Journal every positive thing you noticed. Even if it | | | | working, you will find it. |
| was a tough day, look for what went right. Use your | | | | 7. Every day, say out loud, "I am grateful for___." |
| senses. What did you see, taste, touch, smell, and | | | | Listen to yourself. Forgive yourself for feeling blue. |
| hear that made your heart sing? | | | | Allow the negative self-talk to surface and then |
| 3. Put a gratitude reminder on your calendar. Once an | | | | release it like a helium balloon. |
| hour, stop and think of something or someone who | | | | Stuck? Can't think of anything good? Look for the |
| has contributed to your happiness. The more often | | | | things you may be taking for granted. Can you walk, |
| you stop and pause to think of the good, the sooner | | | | talk, read, and learn? Start to be grateful for the little |
| your brain will register this gratitude exploration as a | | | | everyday things and soon you will notice your |
| habit. Ask yourself "What is my opportunity to be | | | | attitude making a positive shift. You will appreciate |
| grateful here?" | | | | that your life could be a whole lot worse. |
| 4. Have fun! When you go to the bathroom, be | | | | These may seem like such simple activities. They are! |
| grateful. You get to take a break for a minute. Time | | | | So start doing them today. Like anything else worth |
| for yourself. Laugh at this one, but it will remind you | | | | doing, gratitude takes practice. Soon worry will be |
| to take a few minutes for yourself in life. | | | | replaced with wonder. |