Several times a day, I jot down what I am grateful for. This has allowed me to discover how very blessed I am; it has allowed me to be in a greater state of joy, and receive even more.



"The grateful mind is constantly fixed upon the best, therefore it will receive the best." Wallace Wattles

The principle of gratitude starts out with a very important question: How do you see the world? Is the world a friendly place with more than enough to go around or is there a limited supply of good in this world?

When we see the world as friendly, and there being enough to go around, we come from a place of cooperation and creation. Whereas, when we see the world as unfriendly we come from a place of competition. Thinking in terms of scarcity leads to feelings of fear and worry.

Starting with a mindset of abundance is the first step in the law of Gratitude.

"Because all things have contributed to your advancement you should include all things in your gratitude." Wallace Wattles

This principle is a little harder to accept at first glance. How can I be grateful when I have lost a loved one? How can I be grateful when I have recently been laid off?

Our hardest experiences tend to have been our best teachers. The loss of our infant daughter taught me that for every door that closes another one opens. A large financial loss taught me about ego, and being addicted to having others think well of me. When we learn the lesson we do not need the hard experience again.

"Because all people have contributed to your advancement you should include all people in your gratitude." Wallace Wattles

The guy or gal who has wronged you also deserves to be thanked and forgiven. People show up in our life to teach us things about ourselves. When we can finally wish someone who has wronged us well, we cut the ties of resentment we were holding onto, and we are free to move on.

People who are grateful are givers. They give time, support, money, and so on. Giving does not need to be in a monetary currency; however we need to give what we most need to receive. Giving gets you in the flow of life. Like a river flowing - when you give you are subconsciously stating that you are confident that there is more than enough. Giving needs to come from a place of feeling good and not from a place of sacrifice. Sacrifice stems from a lack mentality and leads to resentment.

Next, it is important to recognize, and to be grateful for, the various forms of abundance:

For example when going to the store and buying an item valued at $125.00 for 50% off, that is the universe bringing you abundance in the form of a 62.50 saving.Getting a service free of charge because you referred 5 friends is abundance. Receiving a coupon in the mail for 10% off an item you were intending to purchase is a form of abundance. Buy 2 get one Free is evidence of abundance. These are but a few examples of continuous abundance and reasons to be grateful.

Now you are ready to put gratitude to work for you, in your life. Start each day by taking a few minutes to be grateful.

"The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate." Oprah Winfrey