The Art of Gratefulness

It is said that...

"If you learn to appreciate more of what you already have, you'll find yourself having more to appreciate." -Michael Angier

As we step into 2017, I choose to be grateful and seek out the good that was and is already present in my life because it is so much more rewarding than looking back in regret on goals and/or dreams unrealized or unfulfilled!  Many of you reached your goals this year and while we celebrate you, I wanted to take just a moment to address those who are perhaps not where they thought they would be.   I understand how you feel because I certainly fell short of reaching some of my goals too. 

If you believe, like I do, that what we focus on expands; then let's focus on being grateful for exactly where we are.  When we worry and fret over things, we make them bigger than they really are, as well as attract more of the same. If we focus on the good things we already have and have accomplished, they too, have a tendency to grow. It's our choice! 

Just because you aren’t where you think you should be in your life or your business doesn’t mean you’re not exactly where you are meant to be.  What if we stopped making where we are "wrong" but instead embraced it as part of our journey?

We can get caught up in the idea that we need to achieve certain things by a certain time, right?  And what happens when we don't?  Well, it’s easy to feel like a failure or beat ourselves up for not being where we expected.  I know because I used to live in that place.

So, here's my encouragement for a perspective shift for 2017!  Do you believe everything happens for a reason?  I do.  What if all that happened in 2016 was part of a bigger plan; that is all unfolded as it "should" be?  For a higher purpose? 

Here is the key, in my opinion.  When we make the choice to feel grateful about where we are, WHILE striving to create something more, our lives can be filled with greater joy and purpose.

I am grateful for my family.  I am grateful for my health. I am grateful for my new home.  I am grateful for the launch of a new business to serve others in a greater capacity.  I am grateful for the financial freedom our choices have provided us. AND, I am grateful for all the rejection, the struggles, the disappointments, the challenges, the obstacles and the trials this year because they have made me stronger, more passionate and more determined than ever to never give up on my dream.  A dream of creating a world where children can enjoy their youth as children were intended to do.   A dream of inspiring women to step into their greatness and be all that God created them to be without fear or hesitation!   And a dream where the elderly can experience vitality well into their 80's and beyond with good nutrition and thoughts!  Grateful?  You better believe I am grateful...for EVERY step of this amazing journey called LIFE!  Are you?

 “Strength comes from struggle. When you learn to see your struggles as opportunities to become stronger, better, wiser, then your thinking shifts from 'I can't do this' to 'I must do this'.” ~Toni Sorenson

Grateful for the struggles, Dr. Carol

All rights reserved.  Copyright 2017 by Carol Watson RN, ND