Sunday, August 10, 2008

Gratitude & kindness

Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation. - Brian Tracy

Whenever you are feeling a bit down, or things just don't seem to be going right, try a little gratitude. Start with the small things, things taken for granted. Are you grateful you have eyes to be able to read this, and that you have the ability to read? Some people don't have either. So say a thank you, and keep thinking of little things to be grateful for, you'll start feeling better.

Us humans, we always want more, and there's nothing wrong with that. All living things want more, it's how life expresses itself here on earth. We are here to experience the best life has to offer, it's
up to us to learn how to achieve it. The problem is this, are we grateful for what we have, and are we grateful or everything we get? When you receive a gift, are you truly grateful? Or do you wish it was more, or something better?

Be truly grateful, a heartfelt 'Thank you' is all it takes. (The more grateful you are, the more likely you will receive more).

And did you know that being kind helps the brain produce serotonin, which is exactly what prescription anti-depressants do. Your simple acts of kindness can even have the same effect on those who see the acts.

So if you are feeling down, don't reach for the pills, ice-cream or wine. Be grateful and go and do something kind, and don't expect anything in return, you are doing this for yourself, no other reason. It might be difficult at first, but practice doing something kind, and being kind every day. Your life will change, guaranteed.

My theory is this:
The more people who can be grateful and kind, the happier this planet will be, and what could be better than a happier planet?

Here is an example of how to start your day in a grateful and kind way. When you wake up in the morning, thank your Creator for another awesome day in which you can experience life to it's fullest. And on your way to work, let someone in front of you in the traffic and smile, or tell your partner you love them or they look good, there are so many simple ways to be kind.

Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much. - Blaise Pascal

Have a great day, and thank you so much for reading my article.

Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude. - Denis Waitley

This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness. - HH the Dalai Lama

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Hey Brynn.
Great post. This is something I have had to learn to do every day. Check out this video done by a friend of mine. It's a quick 15 minute daily exercise on gratitude that caused massive changes in my life once I started doing it.
Here's the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9qO5KkAZn4