So what’s the big deal about focusing on gratitude? Why have I made the commitment to undertake this 21-day gratitude challenge and why do I consciously focus on making appreciation a part of my day-to-day life?

There are a number of reasons, but a primary one is that focusing on appreciation just feels good. If I get to choose between feeling appreciation or frustration, then I will consciously choose the thought, focus, and emotion that feels better.

And the more we practice feeling good, the better we can feel. This is using the principle that Energy Attracts Like Energy (also known as the Law of Attraction) to our advantage. Do we want to create a life where every day we feel a little bit better, or do we want to build on the energy of frustration, or other catabolic emotions? As I’ve already said, my choice is to feel good!

There is also the belief that the more we focus on what we do want and the better we allow ourselves to feel, the more we are in alignment with our True Power (God, the Universe, Source Energy, Inner Self, Higher Coach–whatever works for you.) The more we are in alignment, the more guidance and clarity we receive, the more things fall into place with ease, and the more things we receive in our lives to appreciate.

At an energetic level, appreciation is an anabolic emotion, meaning it produces productive chemical reactions and processes in our bodies. Anger, frustration, resentment, and fear are catabolic emotions that release stress hormones, and trigger destructive processes in our body.

So when we allow ourselves to choose more anabolic emotions we are actually increasing our body’s ability to heal and move towards optimal wellness. This is the reason why laughter has long been called the best medicine. You could also say that appreciation, joy, love, and contentment are the best medicine. By choosing and practicing better feeling thoughts and emotions, you are allowing your body’s natural processes to work on your behalf by giving it the anabolic support it needs.

It’s been two weeks since I started my Gratitude Challenge and my assignment today is to write about how the challenge has changed my perspective thus far.

The extra focus I am experiencing from being a part of the challenge has reinforced my understanding of the power of appreciation. It has helped raise my awareness of all the little things that I do take for granted in my life. It has helped me be more conscious of when I am experiencing little moments of catabolic emotion, such as frustration at the cat for pulling over the trash can and scattering debris across the room, so that I can change my point of focus. It has helped me be more authentic and open with you readers. It has helped me be aware of just how wonderful the people are in my life. And it makes me feel even more engaged and present.

How do you think practicing appreciation–or even taking on the Gratitude Challenge—would impact your perspective? And for those of you who already make appreciation a part of your life, I would love to hear how that focus has impacted you, or why you think it’s important.

Together we can do it!