It has been said that it takes 7 positive comments to outdo 1 negative. If this is true then imagine what goes on in your mindset if you keep focusing on negative things in and around your life. It’s time you turn this around so you can turn your life around.

When you live in gratitude it is difficult to constantly be negative. Living in gratitude doesn’t mean you never feel sad or upset. It means you can move forward from these emotions much faster with less negative effect on your life.

How can you exercise gratitude to improve your life?

• When something occurs in your life that negatively impacts your emotions, think about what purpose it might have. If everything happens for a reason, then what is the reason for this situation? The reason is not always obvious straight away. Sometimes, days, weeks, months, even years can go by before you realise the importance of that one event or situation. When you understand the reason, you can live with the situation better.
• Every negative must have a positive. Life is very much a balancing act. Look for the positive that occurs to balance the negative. Sometimes the positive is to simply slow down and appreciate the smaller things in life, such has been the case with our current pandemic.
• Start the day with a smile and a positive thought of what the day will bring.
• End the day with a gratitude list. This could be one you take mental note of, or you can physically write a list. Think of all the things you are grateful for from the day just ending. Don’t go to sleep unless you have a minimum of 3 things on your list. On the tough days, it might be a simple case of being grateful for being alive, getting through the day, have a bed to sleep in. It doesn’t have to be huge, just enough to settle your mind from running too negative.
• Don’t take your loved ones for granted. Tell them you love them. Appreciate them by thanking them when they do something for you. Return the favour where you can. Use your manners; don’t save ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ just for strangers. Don’t swear at them or insult them in an argument; argue about the topic, rather than taking personal digs. And never ever part ways angry. Settle an argument, even if it is to agree to disagree. You will never forgive yourself if you part ways angry and you never get a chance to make amends.

These are simple things but make the world of difference in your mindset and thought patterns.