How do you look at life?
Do you find yourself complaining about every little thing? Do you have a long list that goes on and on and on… Job stress, friend problems, family that’s done you wrong, the weather… and on it goes.
What you may not realize is that if you wake up in the morning and you find something to complain about, that’s pretty much how your day is going to go. You may have already heard of the ‘law of attraction,’ which simply says that what you focus on and where you put your energy is what you are going to get. In other words, you create your reality.
What would happen if instead of waking up complaining, you opened your eyes and gave thanks for your life? Just that little shift in your attitude from complaining to gratitude can make you more aware of the pleasures in your life and all the blessings that surround you. Gratitude will put your day-to-day experiences into perspective. When you view the good and the bad, you will be able to move past the constant complaining. Let’s look at 4 ways to do that.
#1 Start Your Own Gratitude Journal
You should set aside a few minutes at the end of your day to write down 3 or 4 things you are grateful for. It can be as simple as you woke up this morning or as complex as something that happened during the day. Writing down what you are grateful for can help you realize how blessed you are.
As you continue this practice, you’ll find that your list grows longer, and you’ll begin to notice the little things that you once overlooked. It could be a smile from a stranger, a song that uplifts your mood, or even the way the sunlight filters through your window in the morning. The act of writing these down reinforces the positive feelings associated with them and gradually rewires your brain to focus on the good things in life rather than the bad. Over time, this practice can transform your outlook on life, making gratitude your default setting.
#2 Take Time to Stop and Smell the Roses
Start to handle your day differently than you have been. Take a minute to stop and smell the roses. In other words, stop rushing through your day. Stop yourself before you become overwhelmed and the negative feelings start to take hold. Stop, breathe, look around, find something beautiful to absorb. Nature is always great, but if you are nowhere near nature, perhaps there’s a child, a piece of art, etc., that catches your attention. Focus on it and breathe.
By making a conscious effort to pause and appreciate the world around you, you’ll start to notice beauty and goodness in places you never thought to look. Whether it’s the laughter of a child, the vibrant colors of a painting, or the warmth of the sun on your face, these moments of appreciation can anchor you in the present and reduce feelings of stress or overwhelm. This simple practice can serve as a reminder that life is filled with small joys, and by recognizing them, you can cultivate a sense of peace and contentment that carries you through the challenges of your day.
#3 Turn a Negative Into a Positive
This can feel difficult. However, if you can achieve it, you will benefit greatly. Before you allow yourself to get upset, stop yourself and think it through with a positive attitude. You might have to meditate on it, you might have to get yourself into a calm state before you address the situation—whatever it takes. Take a minute to look for the good in the situation.
The next time something goes wrong, try to see it as an opportunity for growth or a lesson in disguise. Maybe that traffic jam is giving you extra time to listen to your favorite podcast, or that disagreement with a friend is a chance to deepen your understanding of each other. Shifting your perspective in this way can reduce your stress and help you approach challenges with a solution-oriented mindset. It’s not about ignoring the negative, but about recognizing that there can be something positive to take away from even the most frustrating situations.
#4 Make a Compliment
Share kindness with those around you. Say something nice to a stranger or a friend. Spread the love and lift up another human being. You will make their day and yours too.
Compliments don’t have to be grand or elaborate; sometimes, a simple acknowledgment of someone’s effort or appearance can go a long way. When you make a habit of giving compliments, you start to look for the good in others, which in turn makes you more aware of the positive traits in people. This practice not only brightens someone else’s day but also fills you with a sense of connection and positivity. It’s a small but powerful way to create a ripple effect of gratitude in the world around you.
4 ways to create an attitude of gratitude. It’s really not that hard!