Gratitude. The spiritual practice of gratitude can be called a state of mind and a way of life. To bring more of this into your life, practice acknowledging all the good things you experience every day. Make it your way of being and life will seem to improve almost immediately. When I find that perfect parking spot, I always say a quiet “thank you”. . When I drive up to where I live (a beautiful location), I say “thank you”. When my dog greets me with wiggling glee, I laugh and say “thank you”. This is a great habit to cultivate, as it forces your mind to focus on the good in your life. I am not suggesting that you turn into Pollyanna, but I am promising that what you choose to focus on will grow. That’s a fact. You might well choose to “grow” happiness because of the wonderfully positive effects it has on your mind and body.

There was a time for me when every day felt horrible. Days, months and even years, were full of worry, pain, fatigue and sadness. I had health issues, loss issues, money issues and life issues in general. I felt miserable and angry that my life was not going in the direction I had hoped. So without consciously realizing what I was doing, I had focused on the negatives and they became almost insurmountable in my mind. These thoughts affected my physical health too. I became sick and tired of being sick and tired, as the saying goes.

Then I discovered gratitude. It became my personal challenge to see the good in my life on a daily basis. I had a light bulb moment and quite by chance, stumbled across my prescription for personal happiness. Teaching others to be therapeutic clowns brought me more joy than is possible to describe in this short column. Educating others on the dangers of stress and then teaching them about the powerful benefits of laughter is my personal prescription for well being. It is my passion and I’m grateful that I can share this knowledge with others. It may sound a bit too syrupy, but I have proven that my journey can be joyful.

Studies have proven that people who describe themselves as being grateful are frequently more optimistic and enthusiastic about life. It is also found that they suffer less stress and apparently, are less likely to experience clinical depression.

Oprah helped to enlighten people a few years ago, by pointing out just how powerful being grateful can be. She encouraged everyone to keep a gratitude journal and write down 5 things at the end of each day that they were grateful for. Try it. It can be a powerful life changer.

Consciously create a new pathway of thought in your brain. Retrain your brain. Start off your year with a new and positive habit. Change how you think and work on developing your own attitude of gratitude.

Carole Fawcett is a stress management consultant and laughter therapist who lives in the beautiful Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Canada. You can read more about her on her webpages. http://www.afunnybusiness.ca

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