Just like we have to take the time to reward ourselves for accomplishing the little things..it's just as important to take the time to appreciate the little things.
If we spend our day focussing on being grateful and thankful for the little things that we would normally take for granted, it actually can keep us from spinning into depressive, defeating thoughts when something knocks us off track today.
This practice is one we can implement from the second we wake up every morning. First, be grateful that you have woken up. Today is a new day, a fresh start, has the potential to be the best day of your life. Second, open your eyes. Be thankful that you have eyes to see all the beautiful things that the world has in store for you today. Take a stretch. Feel your heart pumping blood through your body and be thankful, take in the comfort and coziness of your bed and be thankful you have blankets and a roof to sleep under. Pour yourself a cold glass of water, what a marvelous thing!! Many people don't have the luxury of pouring a crystal clear glass of clean water from their tap every morning...you are lucky! Be thankful! Drink the water, feel it hydrating your body and improving your health. Be thankful for it. Look outside, what is the weather like? Is the sun rising on the horizon? Is the rain feeding our plants and grass and spreading green across the globe? Look at the beautiful way the light shines through the icicles formed on tree branches....there is beauty all around us. It exists for you! How splendid!
Now...when your friend calls to cancel your lunch plans, are you more or less likely to fall into a pit of self-doubting and -defeating thoughts? It will be much harder telling yourself that everything is awful and bad when you've just spent the morning focussing on how great it all is :)
Practice feeling good when you aren't feeling bad..appreciate the little things, start a journal where you keep track of all the things you are grateful for throughout your day, thank a friend just for being a friend, go on positive websites such as www.upworthy.com and read uplifting news articles. Think of it as brain exercise, and put aside a little time each day for giving thanks. Soon, you'll be doing it without even noticing.
Remember - your day is only as bad as you let it be!
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