Reflecting on our good fortune is not just a nicey-nice exercise. Have you read the latest news? It's called "The Science of Gratitude". That's right, science. In fact, Amazon is boasting a bunch of titles on this very topic!
Science shows that focusing on what's positive and wonderful in our world impacts the state of our health and filters the we experience the world. This means that focusing on gratitude is a wonderful and easy way to connect with the goodness in our lives, creates happiness, and points us away from the aspects of our lives that we find painful.
In fact, I contend, once a regular practice of loving your life (or gratitude) takes hold, even seemingly negative circumstances can end up being cause for gratitude. Try it on for size. Have you had an experience that goes like this:
The Bad Things to Good Things Diagram:
Does this sound at all familiar? I have had this happen so many times, haven't you? I'll be talking with someone, saying in amazement, "Well if (bad thing) hadn't happened, then (wonderful thing) would never have happened! Wow!" So knowing this, it might give us reason to be excited and grateful, in anticipation of the wonderful thing that is going to come of whatever bad thing is happening right now.
To inspire you, here's my top 10 "life well loved" list for this week:
1. My beautiful daughter – she is beautiful, courageous, funny, smart, and strong.
2. That same daughter's amazing belly laugh. More of a chortle, really.
3. The ambassador's swimming pool. Heavenly on these scorching hot Rome days!
4. My gorgeous, supportive husband! I couldn't be any luckier, really…
5. All the amazing, wonderful people I am meeting through coach training.
6. The ability to spend 6 weeks hanging out with family and friends in the beautiful Pacific Northwest!
7. I love what I'm doing, and how it is such a positive force in people's lives!
8. Yoga & meditation. What would life be without these??
9. Awesome women to collaborate with on creative projects.
10. Oodles of ideas and the inspired action to get it DONE!!
And, in the spirit of practice, will you join me in appreciating YOUR well-loved life? Do you blog about it, like my friend Nadine? YAY! Leave your link in the comments. If not, join me and tell me three things you love about your life, right now.
photo courtesty of Fractal Ken on Flickr via Creative Commons license.
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