Perhaps one of the easiest things you can do to instantly change your state of mind is to continuously remind yourself for what you can be grateful.  Living in such a materialistic and selfish environment, it is easy to stay focused on the things you don’t have, the relationships you want, the ones you have that you would like to be different, the money you don’t have, the house and car you would like, the shoes, the remodel, the blah, blah, blah,….  Focusing on what you want that you don’t have at the expense of ignoring all the blessings you do have is a source of continuous discontentment, envy, and resentment.

However, if you are being real, you can find an endless number of things to be grateful for.  Start with the fact that you are reading these words.  You have the sight to see them.  You can make sounds from the symbols printed on the page and assemble them into meaning.  Your heart is beating.  You have the use of limbs.  You have a computer, a chair, and shelter.  You can smell flowers, you have clean water to drink.  The list is endless if you turn on the gratitude mindset. 

Each day, throughout the day, I remind myself of the things I am grateful for.  I’ve done it so long, it is not hard for me to do.  However, I had to learn to focus on gratitude.  Even now, after years of practice, it is not always automatic, to be perfectly honest.  I must consciously guard my mind and thoughts.  I must think about, what I am thinking about.  When I catch myself in an unloving thought of lack or envy or frustration, I mentally, sometimes verbally to myself, I say STOP.  Then I self-correct by thinking a healthy start that aligns with appreciation.  I literally change my perspective.   

I like to journal gratitude too.  I say things to myself all day.  Not usually out loud, but inside.  A few years ago, I started a Rampage of Appreciation on Facebook.  I simply list things that come to mind that I am grateful for.  I may do a Facebook gratitude post a few times a month.  I want to get more practice of physically writing my gratitude daily.  I am going to write 5 things every day I am grateful for.  Will you join me?