The Daily Gratitude Challenge (5 Steps to a Happier Life) - Episode #16

The Daily Gratitude Challenge

(5 Steps to a Happier Life)

We are told to give thanks, be grateful, especially this time of year.

It sometimes can seem easier said than done. When you are a single parent with a job you hate. No time to spend with your own children. Feeling the single parent guilt. Barely making ends meet, or not making ends meet. (Pancakes and Mac n cheese were my dinner go to’s for a brief period of time). You know the holidays are coming up and you just can’t give your children the Christmas or holiday you’d like to. 

I know this, because I have been there. It is difficult to be grateful, everyday, no matter what is going on. It is, it’s hard. We try not to be negative. We try to find the positive and find even the smallest of things to be grateful for, but when life gets more and more difficult, it gets harder and harder to find even the smallest of things to be grateful for. They are over shadowed by things in life that seem to be sucking the joy right out of us.

However, just like brushing our teeth, tying our shoes, making our bed or grabbing a cup of coffee everyday the attitude of gratitude can and will become second nature to you, if you are willing to give a little bit of effort…not much, just a little. 

Here are 5 daily action steps to incorporate into your day that will give you the attitude of gratitude each and every single day, no matter what is going on in your life.

Before I get into the 5 action steps, I wanted to tell you about the free gift I have waiting for you over on spspcommunity.com - it’s the ultimate home business guide with the 7 insider tips that will help you build the successful Network Marketing business you really want to have. Go grab it…not right this second, but after this episode LOL - pop over to www.spspcommunity.com 

Okay - here are the 5 action steps to incorporate into your day that will give you the attitude of gratitude each and every single day, no matter what is going on in your life.

#1. Notice your negative thoughts. Not stopping them, that’s just about impossible, but we can catch them, acknowledge them and then release them. Negative thoughts are only harmful if we hold on to them and take ownership of them. Let them go as if you’re watching a leaf float down a river.

You maybe thinking “Sam, easy for you to say, you’re no longer struggling to make ends meet. How in the heck do I let my negative thoughts go like a tricking leaf floating down a river?”, Well, that was my thought when I first heard this concept. What I did, when a negative thought popped in my mind (believe me, with an abusive addict for a husband, there were many), I would envision that negative thought written on a post-it note and watched that post-it note float away, down the river, until I could no longer see it. Believe me, the more you do this, the better at it you will be and the quicker you’ll be at catching and releasing the negative thoughts. 

You’ll actually begin to catch other people’s negative words or actions like you never have before too. Side note - limit your exposure negative people. They are not going to help you live a better life.

#2. First thing in the morning, before your feet hit the floor, take a big stretch - arms over your head, point your toes, arch your back, tighten your muscles, take a deep breath and then release it all. This will instantly get your blood flowing. Creating circulation, which automatically makes us feel better and changes our state.

#3. After your “Good morning stretch” take less than a min (more if you like, but it doesn’t have to...