"When we are grateful for the good we already have, we attract more good into our life." - Margaret Stortz

Some people feel grateful once in a while. The feeling comes when something fortunate happens. They feel happy for the moment.

Once an event or a person that challenges them appears, they lose sight again of the feeling. They then wait for another "divine" incident to occur to feel thankful again.

Meanwhile they go through lives feeling anxious. They hope that some lucky events or people will turn up at their doorsteps.

You don't have to wait to feel grateful. Being alive, in good health, physically complete, and having a sound mind are enough reasons to feel blessed. Without either one of them, you will not function as effectively.

How do your create the sense of gratefulness daily?

• Being aware.

How do you know that you are still alive? It's when you wake up in the morning and notice that you are still breathing, right?

This is the best time to give thanks to the Creator. You've been given another opportunity to go after your dreams, to correct your mistakes, to explore your possibilities and the world. It's another day to show your appreciation and love toward yourself and the people that you care.

Keep yourself aware and alert of what's happening around you and everyone that shows up. Listen and observe. Don't take anyone or anything for granted. Look at nature and how it evolves.

Another good time is to feel that your life has been gratified is before you go to sleep. Whatever happened during the day, either has moved you closer toward your goals and personal growth or otherwise.

If it hasn't been encouraging, you can think over another way to make it better the next time. Learn to accept that there is a reason for everything that happens. Learn to feel glad that you have the chance to live through the experiences.

• Shift your thinking.

Why do you feel ungrateful about your life? One of the reasons is that you associate your present existence with negative images. You recall memories that consist of pictures of displeasure.

You see lack everywhere you turn. You notice what you don't have and what you need instead of the people and things that already are existing.

What you are seeing on the outside is a mirror of the way you are operating on the inside. You change what you get on the outside by shifting your thinking.

Don't let your mind go on automatic. Switch your habitual disagreeable thoughts with resourceful ones. Your thinking affects your emotions. When you think of the blessings in your life, you will feel grateful. Your fears will dissipate.

You have full control over your thoughts. You have to give your mind the right direction. You can choose what you want to picture and feel.

• Your association with others.

People around you influence your thinking. If you associate with whiners and complainers, you'll tend to adopt their attitudes. If you choose to connect with people who are grateful and appreciative of what they have been bestowed with, you will behave similarly.

The next time you feel that you have no reason to feel grateful, go out and get to know people who are homeless or physically impaired. Why not visit a sick person or someone who lives alone? Think of how you can help to make someone happier. You will feel happy from your acts of kindness.

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