I feel truly blessed.  And that’s new for me.  I’ve spent most of my life craving more.  It often seemed to me that everyone else was better, smarter, more competent, more popular, worthier.  I always wished I had more friends, more money, better hair, thinner thighs, a better head for math.  You name it, I was on the short end of the stick.  And then, a few years ago, I made a small change.  I began to keep a gratitude journal. Every day (or almost everyday) I make a list of 3-5 things I am grateful for.  Sometimes I write the same 3 things I wrote the day before, other times, there are new and different things that are noteworthy.  When I first started out, doing it was hard.  I’d often forget to grab my journal.  Then, I started leaving it under my pillow.  If I put my head down without having written in it, I’d feel it and be reminded.  If I had the urge to skip it one night, thinking I was too tired and just wanted to go to sleep, I’d make myself do it anyway.  I realized that it didn’t take more than 5 minutes and it made me feel soooo good!  Then, it became a habit.  Now, I can’t go to sleep without making my entry.  If I did, it would feel like some part of my bed time ritual was missing.  I wouldn’t dream of going to bed without brushing my teeth.  How could I sleep without having acknowledged my gratitude?

Why is this important?  Why do I bother?  Because counting my blessings has made a big difference in my life.  It has created a BIG change for me.  My blessings now have a much louder voice than my fears and insecurities.  They are the white horse I ride in to new or challenging situations on.   Focusing on what is great in my life makes me show up calm, present and generous.  I’m more likeable!  I attract the kinds of friends and clients I want to have in my life.  I am whole.  I’m not so different than I was before, not more competent, more beautiful, or thinner.  Those pesky insecurities still show up from time to time.  But they are quieter now, and they mostly stay to themselves in the corner out of my way.   I know if I give them my attention, they will grow again and become unruly.  Although I’m really the same person I was before I started keeping my gratitude journal, I am indeed richer!  Richer in friends, in love, and yes, in money since I’ve attracted more clients.   It is true, ‘you get what you give’ and by giving the the best of me, I have attracted the right people into all aspects of my life.