This morning I woke up about 15 minutes before the alarm went off. One of our cats was already settled on my stomach and one of our dogs jumped up onto the bed to snuggle under my arm.
For 15 minutes I was in total bliss. Not only was I appreciating the comfortable warm bed, the soft fur under my fingers, the purring cat, and the love that I have for these animals, and that I believe they have for me, but I used that time to appreciate my life. I even felt appreciation for those things that frustrate or annoy me, because they’re helping me focus and grow, and they help me appreciate how great my life really is.
Too often we spend most of our time dwelling on what’s wrong in our lives, wishing things were better, wishing we had more. I suspect many of you may have woken up this morning wishing it wasn’t Monday, wishing you didn’t have to go to work or school, wishing you had more money, wishing you had a differing lover, wishing the traffic was better, wishing, wishing, wishing.
While that may feel like you’re focused on what you want what you are truly focused on is what you lack. You lack relaxation time, a job that you love, enough money, the love you are seeking, even an easy way to travel from place to place.
When you take into account the Foundation Principle that “Energy Attracts Like Energy,” also known as the Law of Attraction, you begin to see that focusing on what you lack actually attracts more Monday mornings just like today.
As a society, we have been well-trained to focus on problems and what we lack, so it’s perfectly understandable that this is often the automatic thought process in which many people engage. It actually feels socially unacceptable to talk about how much you love Monday’s and how much you love and appreciate your job. You don’t see that posted on Facebook very often!
But to paraphrase Shawn Archor, a Harvard psychology researcher and author of The Happiness Advantage, it is a societal myth that we cannot change our mindset, and one of the easiest ways to do that is to focus on gratitude.
True, if you hate Monday’s and your job, you won’t be able to say you love them with any authenticity, but you may be able to appreciate that you do have a job and that you have a regular paycheck. You may be able to appreciate that you have a car or transportation to work or school. You may be able to appreciate that you have a cat, dog, or partner to go home to. Or maybe the only thing you can think of to appreciate is the cup of coffee that helps wake up your brain.
Whatever it is that you can appreciate, focus on that, and focus on it as much as possible. Do that every day for a week, and next week you may find that you have a few more things that you can appreciate. Practice appreciation for a month, and you will begin to turn the energetic-tide towards attracting what you really do want in your life.
And even if you don’t believe in the Law of Attraction, just remember that Archor’s research shows that feeling more positive allows you to be smarter and more creative, and allows your brain to perceive more possibilities. That means you can see more solutions to your problems.
What can you appreciate today? What can you do to remind yourself to appreciate again tomorrow? And the day after that? What difference do you think that will make towards creating the life of your dreams?
Together we can do it!
Photo by graur codrin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Goss Coaching 
I’ve just written a very candid account of my battle with an eating disorder, and how alcohol is involved but not the actual problem. I thought that, by writing about it, I could help other people to understand and I could *see* the monster that I’m facing.
Instead of sitting here saying “I wish” I decided to get the facts out there, so that I can look at my blog and try to move forward from here.
Congratulations on facing your “monster” with the intention of helping others. Sounds like you are taking the steps you need to move forward. With serious problems like these, often it’s helpful to reach out for help to a qualified mental-health professional. I hope if you need that help and support that you will seek it. Asking for help shows strength, not weakness. Sending you positive thoughts and energy as your move towards recovery.
I had a similar experience last night. Just as I was getting ready to get up from the couch after taking a short break from my ever growing to do list, my ten-year-old son snuggled up to me and put his head on my shoulder. At that moment, I knew that my list would just have to wait. At the age of ten, I knew that these moments would soon be gone. My little boy is growing up so fast and I needed to appreciate the moment. In a few years, he may not want to come lay his head on my shoulder. Laundry would just have to wait. My blog would have to wait. The dishes would have to wait. Too often we forget to appreciate the moment. Too often we get caught up in what we do not have. Another great post!
Love that you chose to honor the moment and appreciate that fleeting time time with son. Thanks for sharing!
Nice words. I loved this post.
So glad! Thanks for commenting!
I like your unique take on spirituality. Good for you for doing what works for you.
Thank you! I appreciate your commenting.