Why is it that we as humans instinctively always want more, we aren’t content for long. We buy something we thought we really couldn’t live without and then 3 days later we NEED something else. We don’t stop often enough to give thanks for what we have and how far we’ve come. “I’ll be happy when…”. The truth is, when has already come, many times in fact. Have we taken control of our thoughts in the day and reined them in. Are we aware of our thoughts or are we just letting the negativity of the news and impulsive human behaviour take over. To be truly happy, this is something I believe needs daily effort. There are many things I do to improve my happiness but what I think brings the most value to my mental health and my most valued daily goal is to practice gratitude.
I try to be thankful every single day for something big or small. Last week it was that we’ve had a sunny Easter weekend, that’s a first in many years.
Today it’s that Dom slept through the night for the first time. Both of these things I see as a beautiful present, to us from the universe.
The incredible thing about gratitude or anything you practice regularly for that matter, is that it reinforces those neural pathways, it becomes stronger. It then becomes easier to do. It’s like having a mains connection to the power of your mind. It becomes easier and faster to improve your mental health.
This also works with the of Law of Attraction. Being grateful for something every day, then in turn re-attracts that into your life. Even on the toughest days there is something to be thankful for, is it the security of your own home protecting your family. It could be even as small as the lock in your front door. This was evident to me when our front door broke and we couldn’t get it fixed for a few days, sleeping at night with your front door unlocked/closed with just a door stop is unsettling. This is just an example of how if we just try, you’ll find something to be grateful for and then you can start the practice of manifesting your own happiness.
I am guilty, I do slip up some days, I forget to be thankful for all that we have. I too get down and frustrated when things don’t go my way but if I can identify that moment and change my mindset then the rest of the week can be happy. Rather than allow the spiral of negativity to consume me and my family. So my question for you is, what are you thankful for today? What can you do to help reminding yourself to continue practicing gratitude every day? It doesn’t take more than a few seconds of thought, reflection and a few internal words of thanks. Heck, shout it out to the world. Ironically this is something I believe I do NEED and can’t live happily without.
Dr Shinae Brownrigg
