My Gratefulness Mantra

You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life. And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law: the more you have and are grateful for, the more will be given you.— Sarah Ban Breathnach, author of “Simple Abundance”

We take so many things for granted. Look around you. Appreciate all that you have. Oftentimes we see with eyes full of lack. We say to ourselves, “I don’t have what I want. My house isn’t big enough, clean enough, pretty enough. My job isn’t full of passion and my life isn’t what I had planned.”

And all those statements may be true. You may want a bigger, cleaner, prettier house. Your life may not be what you had planned. But if you see through the eyes of lack you will stay in the energy of lack.

Instead, acknowledge that all those statements are true – while simultaneously being grateful for what you do have. You have a house; a roof over your head when it snows, with indoor plumbing no doubt. Your paycheck allows you to buy food, clothing and some not-so-essential items like nights out with friends or an extra pair of shoes.

Be grateful. Yes, you can want more, but leave the craving, and the striving-after behind. Come from a place of accepting all that is and be full of appreciation for what you do have. As you consciously give thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life, the more that will be given to you.

Exercise: My Gratefulness Mantra

1. List the 10 items, events, circumstances that you currently have that fill you with gratitude.
2. Post this list in a conspicuous place so that you keep it top of mind.
3. Every time you glimpse this list, say a silent prayer such as, “Thank you God for my many blessings”. Make this mantra full of meaning. Don’t just say the words, really feel the words and mean it.
4. That’s the secret. As you bow in gratefulness to all that you do have –all the blessings already present in your life – more blessings flow your way.

This has become part of my daily way of being. Throughout my day, I pause in gratefulness for all that I have. And every time I begin down the road of craving, striving, wishing for more, I stop and return to my mantra of “Thank you God for my many blessings.” Then I add a little bit about what I’m appreciating in that moment – it could be my home, the laughter of friends, or the beautiful view from my screen porch. And as I say and feel this mantra of gratitude, I know that I can also desire more. But for right here, right now, being grateful for what I do have is enough.

What are you grateful for today?

I am grateful that you are here! Thanks for being a part of this journey of discovery – finding ways to live our lives on purpose and in a meaningful way. If this post resonated with you, please share it on your favorite social networks. Every share, like or tweet helps me reach more people who crave support in being as kind to themselves as they are to others. So glad you’re here!