The fact is, without complete unconditional gratitude, there is no true happiness. And without an underlying foundation of happiness, you cannot have success.

On the other hand, a person living in complete gratitude cannot fail to be happy and successful.

For the short answer as to why this works, consider one of the Universal Laws governing our lives which says that what you focus your mind on, is what you get. Focus on negativity and you will experience more negativity. Focus on the positive, and you will experience more of the positive.

The power of gratitude is that it focuses your attention on the positive aspects of your life. There is no room for fear in any of its forms, when your mind is filled with a deep and profound sense of gratitude. By focusing on the good and positive aspects of your life, and expressing gratitude, you will get even more of these positive experiences.

And even more powerful than that - look to your current and past challenges and failures - and find a positive there. Give thanks for it. And you will find that you've taken a massive step in growing & learning from the experience, and overcoming similar challenges in future.

Can't find a positive in your failures? You're just not trying hard enough. Consider this quote by Confucius:

"I was complaining that I had no shoes till I met a man who had no feet."

There is always a positive. Find it, and express a deep and unconditional gratitude. Your future success and happiness depend on it.

Try not to limit yourself in who you express gratitude to.
It doesn't have to always be a person. You can also express gratitude to an object (just for being), an experience, a feeling, a sound, a colour, a view. You can thank a group of people, a whole nation, the whole of humanity, nature, the universe, God, the Universal Spirit, or collective consciousness, or whichever other power you can relate to.

So what's the most effective way to express gratitude?

Let's look at 2 simple methods.

(1) Repeat after me: "Thank You!"

Awesome! I think you've got it. :)

You can make the expression as detailed and specific as you wish, but there is something beautiful about a simple "Thank You" when expressed with a deep and genuine love & appreciation.

Try it now. Think of the person you most love in the world. Perhaps your partner, your parents, or a friend? If you can't think of anyone, then picture the type of person you'd love to fall in love with. Focus on their image with complete acceptance and love, and thank them!

"Thank you for just being you."

"Thank you for the joy you bring to my life."

Whatever you wish to thank them for, express it with genuine love & gratitude.

There's NO WAY you can feel bad while expressing true gratitude.

Try it again. If you're reading this article, then express gratitude for the power of sight. If it's being read to you, then give thanks for the miracle of sound.

It takes a bit of practice, but if you do this regularly, your quality of life will improve dramatically.

And whenever you find your life is not quite on track, pause to show gratitude for what you have here & now. You'll find the right way forward.

(2) Now let's take it to another level. You may have heard of the concept of a Gratitude Journal. This is powerful stuff.

If you're serious about your happiness, you MUST do this.

Buy a nice book, and as often as you can, record something you're thankful for. Anything! It doesn't matter how big or small. Just record whatever you're grateful for in you life.

Expressing your gratitude in writing, and reading it back to yourself, increases the power a thousandfold.

Personally, I try to add five new entries per day.

And anytime you feel like a nice "pick-me-up", reach for your Gratitude Journal.

You'll find it's full of inspiration - an uplifting reminder of the good that you have in your life. It'll get your mind back on the positive, and perhaps even sometimes you'll experience that deep "knowing", that you really are perfect exactly as you are, and that your life is perfect exactly as it is.

Try it. Start today & see how your life improves.

If you want to see an example of how simple it is to express gratitude via a Gratitude Journal, please have a look at mine.

I have recently moved it online so that you can all see.

You will find it at:
http://www.HowToBeHappyNow.com/journal/index.html

Oh, and before I go, why not try this exercise for an hour or so, and see how it makes you feel. Sit down somewhere where you can watch people go past. Perhaps a cafe in the city, or a seat on a train. For every person you see, give a smile and send a silent "Thank You" to them. For no real reason. Just because you can. Make it a silent outpouring of love and gratitude - just for being.

It's silent, so there's no need to feel silly. Just try it. You'll feel good, I promise.

THANK YOU for reading,

Lance Beggs

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A Gratitude Rock can lead to Happiness">

"A Gratitude Rock can lead to Happiness"

The Secret - DVD version
by Rhonda Byrne

As you go through life, the secret of life is hiding in plain sight, until one day the Law of Attraction tumbles into your awareness.

There is solid info and research and personal examples to reveal that how we think affects not only the messages, verbal and nonverbal, we send to others but our actions. We have far more power over our life scripts than we think!

The DVD goes beyond simple "positive thinking" to show, with personal examples from many people, how a change in attitude is just the beginning. Actions must follow. Couples whose marriages had grown stagnant, others who'd lost hope...all were able to make remarkable changes in relatively short periods of time. They turned their lives around...and so can those who take heart from this book. It simply takes commitment and follow through.

This is an excellent DVD, with an excellent message. Some people have a problem with a positve message. This is not about materialism or greed, it is about being happy. Live life to the fullest and be happy, whether you buy this dvd or not. BE HAPPY NOW!

     

A Gratitude Rock can lead to Happiness
Index of More Articles about Gratitude

More Articles about Gratitude

How Gratitude Can Be Your Partner in Life by Sonia Devine

Are you constantly struggling with life? If so, you might be focusing on all the wrong things. Practising daily gratitude will help you to turn your life around. Want what you have and what you want will...

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Life is about more than just having fun and doing whatever you want to do, whenever you want to do it. Life is about values and morals. Each person has their own personal values and beliefs and morals....

 Gratitude the Law of Attraction = Plentitude by David Hooper

The Power of Gratitude When you're thankful for something, no matter how small it is, you're initiating the law of attraction to get even more of what you want--and deserve. Everyone deserves to have...

 How To Get the 'Gratitude Attitude' Thing Happening - in 7 Easy Steps by Kathy Baker

Don't you just just love the whole Gratitude thing? - I remember when I first read about it in the context of Personal and Spiritual Development and Law of Attraction, it really captured my imagination....

 Loosen Up Your Mind With Gratitude by Stephanie West Allen

Boston Bovines Hold The Answer For YouDid you know that our brains are full of cow paths? Robert Fritz begins his book _The Path of Least Resistance_,by explaining how the streets of Boston were laid out;...

In the video above, Lee Brower describes his Gratitude Rock. Lee Brower is a multigenerational wealth expert and founder of The Quadrant Living Experience, LLC, an internationally recognized educational and philanthropic organization teaching a radically successful system called The Brower Quadrant. A noted authority on helping prestigious families create enduring legacies that flourish generation after generation, he is also an accomplished teacher and mentor for entrepreneurs and CEOs.

He helps people recognize and tap into all of their assets, including those one doesn’t typically think about, such as wisdom, experience, reputation, networks, health, skills, talents, values, and habits.

He says, "every day… I choose to be in an attitude of gratitude. I get to choose how each day begins and receive the positive energy that accompanies my awareness and gratitude for all the many blessings in my life. Does life seem to move at such a fast pace that you unconsciously ignore all of the wonderful experiences, relationships and blessings in life?

Every morning when I get dressed and reach for my wallet, there is my rock. It immediately reminds me to express gratitude for the many incredible relationships, experiences and blessings in my life. I actually visualize those things I am grateful for. I conclude by visualizing the day and the outcomes I desire for the day. During the day, each time I touch the rock, I am again reminded of my vision and gratitude. Then, at the conclusion of the day, as I take the rock out and place it on its special place on my bed stand, I capture the experiences and once again take time to express my appreciation.

Where ever I go, I now collect “gratitude” rocks and I will continue to give them to anyone who is looking for a system to keep them in an attitude of gratitude. Sincere gratitude is the lubricant that allows the law of attraction to work for us. "

The Just Wait Teen Program

The teenagers of the Just Wait Teen™ program  are exposed to the information and research concerning their Happiness, their Temperaments, their Talents, their Attributes, their Gifts and how to maintain long term relationships. The Just Wait Teen™ program  is life enhancing program, not a substance rehabilitation program. Although its' objective is to give the teens tools and understandings to reach 21 years - substance free.

This Program was developed by the Just Wait Foundation a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit corporation to prevent drug, alcohol, and tobacco problems among teenagers. The Foundation provides one-year scholarships (two semesters) at a Community College or $1000 award to teens that completes the 4 year Just Wait Teen™ Positive Youth Development Program, obtains a GED, or graduates from high school - alcohol, tobacco, and drug free. The Just Wait Foundation has arranged to use of 80 acres to raise fruit and vegetables to finance the scholarships

We offer free training for any person or group that wants to start this program in their community.

Contact Us    Copyright 2009  - 2010 & Developed by  Just Wait Teens

Index of Articles about the Effects of Gratitude

Other Articles about the Effects of Gratitude

The Power of Positive Thanking by Diane Harmony

"Gratitude has a cleansing effect on the soul," according to spiritual leader and author, Marianne Williamson, "healing us from the inside out." The very act of saying "thank you" makes us humbler, gentler...

Cultivating an Attitude of Gratitude by Jan Marie Dore

The practice of gratitude is a powerful tool for recreating your life so that you regularly experience happiness, joy, and contentment. Gratitude is simply a feeling of thankfulness and appreciation for...

 Advantages of doing science projects with your children by Just Science

Most people cringe at the thought of science projects. When we think of science projects we think of people in lab coats that can spout off a number of equations in record time. Or we picture men behind...