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Why would I talk about "attitude of gratitude" in this Workshop? Because this Universal Law that is often overlooked creates one of the main pillars of success, positive thinking, effective goal-setting and balanced happy life. Why taking time to appreciate things, that you already have, is so important? 1. It switches your focus from "lack" to "abundance". When you express gratitude your mind focuses on what you have, rather than on what you do not have. We have already mentioned that you attract what you concentrate your thoughts on. When you feel grateful for the things that you already have, like a loving family, job that you love, ability to go on vacation once a year, good health, or great friends, you attract more of those things into your life. 2. It helps to stay positive and overcome obstacles on your way to your goal. We tend to see the bad things that happen in our life but overlook the good things. Think about how sometimes a small unpleasant comment, a little problem, an insignificant change in plans is enough to ruin our whole day, even if everything else has gone just fine. 3. It helps us to stay focused on what matters the most in our life. Often boundaries between need and want are blurred and unclear. Some people spend their lives chasing for things that they do not really need, while completely ignoring things of much greater importance. Some sacrifice their health trying to make money and later are ready to pay any price to get some of it back. Some take their relationships for granted and when they fall apart feel shocked and distraught. Some crave recognition that in reality is not even slightly significant in the greater scheme of things, as recognition is not the same as respect. Some betray friendships to help their career and get to the top, only to realize later that they have no one to share their success with. Don't take what you have for granted. There are plenty of things in your life to be grateful for. If you have a roof over your head, hot water, food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world. If you own a car, a house or an apartment, a computer with Internet connection and you can afford to go on vacation once a year, you are among the very elite. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish somewhere... you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy. If you woke up healthy this morning ... you are more fortunate than the million who will not survive the week. If you can read this message, you are more blessed than 2 billion people in the world who cannot read at all. If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation... you are ahead of 500 million people in the world. If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are thankful... you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not. Shocking isn't it? I do not know about you, but very often I am truly aware of being grateful only when I am reminded about it, either by something that I see , or hear on the TV and I wish that this wasn?t the case. However, it is very important to be fully aware of how fortunate you are, all the time. And not just the important things like family, friends, financial and physical security, but also the things that we often take for granted like food, water, sunshine, and peace. How do you stay grateful? By giving. As you give, so you will get. We live in the society where a concept of ?quid pro quo? rules, which in Latin means "a favor for a favor". When we are doing someone a favor, most of us expect to get a favor in return. How many times have you thought something like this - ?I can?t believe this person is so thankless after all that I?ve done for him/her! Now when I need help he/she turns her back to me!? You might be right. The person could have been ungrateful. In reality if we only shifted our focus from getting to giving, we would get much more. Most people focus on receiving which makes their mind focus on what they do not have. No wonder it is difficult for them to be grateful. When you focus on giving, you are activating the flow of abundance, because you can not give something that you do not have, can you? The more you give, the more you will receive. As simple as that. I am not talking just about the money. The beauty of this concept is in its universality. You want to be loved? You have to start by sharing YOUR love with others. You need moral support for your new venture? Start by giving support to others with their projects. You want other people to be kind to you? Practice compassion and kindness yourself. You want other people to appreciate your efforts? Start by saying "Thank you" and acknowledge their achievements. Do not wait to give later, start today! You might be surprised that there is a great difference in the life of others and your own. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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