How Gratitude Increased My Wealth

"Gratitude opens and expands and blesses the heart."

I was resentful of the hand I had been dealt – I wanted a nurturing mother, I wanted a father who was more present to his family, and I wanted a husband who would provide for our family. Since this is not what I received, I was stuck in a “poor me” mentality. And the “poor me” mentality resulted in a “poor me” world, where I struggled to pay bills and put food on my table.

Somewhere I heard about keeping a gratitude journal, maybe it was while watching Oprah. I started writing a list of what I was thankful for each day. It made me stop and count my blessings, naming them one by one.

With each passing day I noticed a shift. I no longer thought, “poor me,” but instead began to think “lucky me.” I was in the same situation, nothing had changed, but I had changed. My outer world began to change as well. Even in the darkest situation, if you find something to be grateful for, it will change you and ultimately change the situation.

• I am thankful that I can take a breath.

• I am thankful for the beating of my heart.

• I am thankful I can feel the sun’s rays on my face and hear the sound of the wind.

• I am thankful for this headache – why? Because it is what I have been blessed with this day.

• I am thankful I had food to eat today.

• I am thankful my thirst was quenched.

• I am thankful for dreams, both waking and sleeping.

• I am thankful for a mother and father who gave me life and loved me as much as they could.

• I am thankful for the father of my children for his gift of four beautiful people.

A cross is often a blessing in disguise, and a blessing can ironically be a cross to bear. Be full of gratitude for both as life changes every day.

There are numerous things to be thankful for. One can be grateful for the things in your life, but not be attached to them. Things come and go. People come and go. Be thankful when they are with you and be thankful when they are no longer with you. Be grateful you are alive, welcome each new life with joy. Be thankful we have freedom to choose.

At times I felt resentful, jealous even, of the perceived blessings others received, whether in material goods, relationships, physical appearance, or the support of extra loving friends and families. I began to express gratitude for the experiences and goods others received, as well as, my own. As gratitude increased, resentment decreased, and I became a more joyful person.

Gratitude opens and expands and blesses the heart. If one’s only focus is on what one doesn’t like about his or her life, one will live in misery. If you can only find one thing, one light in your life, even if it is dull and then be grateful for that dull light, that light will grow and spread. Send thankful thoughts for that one small thing. The n

ext day or so, try and find another small, seemingly trivial thing to be thankful for and a few days later another. Whenever and wherever you are try to find small things and be thankful. The bigger picture of your life will eventually be brighter and even rainbow-colored. Gratitude is powerful and a tool that is easy to use that will change your life.

Photo by Freshh Connection on Unsplash

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