Taking time to say thanks isn’t about being polite – it’s about having gratitude for all that is good in your life. If you start a journal and every day write down five things that you are thankful for (be honest) and keep the practice up within a few months (maybe less) you will see wonderful changes in your life.

We all get caught in ruts thinking that life never changes, getting out of bed, brushing our teeth, showering and hopping into our clothes, getting into our cars and heading off towards work. Do you notice the scenery as you drive to work or are you so wrapped up in your world you don’t even remember the drive? Did you know that more heart attacks occur on Mondays than any other day of the week? Do you think it might have something to do with hating going to work?

If you are bored with life, bored with your job, then all you will get from the universe is more boredom. If you can’t think of anything to be grateful for, try writing down that you are grateful for living and breathing.

Imagine the alternative! Life is a gift and we squander it and then blame others for screwing it up. Are you thankful for football or sports? Write it down. Are you thankful for movies and entertainment? Write it down.

My mother is 80 years old and has a lot of trouble walking. She recently fell and that put her back a few weeks. The other day she called me to tell me she was able to walk to the bathroom and how grateful she was for that.

You never know how important the simple things you take for granted are until they are gone. Instead of focusing on the negative – try seeing the negative as something that provides contrast for the positive. Without the negative, there would be no positive.

It takes both to create the picture – so starting framing your life with the things you are thankful for and watch what happens!

© 2008 Laurie J. Brenner All Rights Reserved