The Power Of Gratitude

I've been thinking a lot about how so many people are on Facebook or Twitter lately. My friends age range span about 50 years. To me, this is an amazing thing and a powerful tool of united people across the globe.

I've also been thinking how fast information gets out to our friends or the public if we have a public profile. We post that someone has the flu and before 10 minutes is over it can be all over a small town.

Then, I was reminded last week, how some people either continually use their status to vent on an on-going basis or they seem status-crazed by updating their status every few minutes.

I have a friend who actually goes in and deletes people based on the substance of their social networking content. Then, because of deleting people, she seems to get flack because the other party thought they were "friends." I have my own opinions of the whole "facebook friend thing," but I'll save that for another day. :)

While sitting at a red light the other day, I realized that I could use Facebook to bring both positivity into my life and remind others of the positives in their life. Some of my own friends already do this and their words of encouragement always make my day better.

I'm a BIG believe in an attitude of gratitude and so I thought as we approach the holidays it would be a good time for me to once again remind myself and the things I'm most thankful for.

I do this for several reasons:

- focusing on the blessings leaves less time for worry

- acknowledging our own blessings allow us more time to also help others

_ an abundant attitude creates more abundance

- gratitude stresses the importance of living in the moment

-being reminded of the non-tangible in my life puts less focus on the things I have or think I need


- creating my own thankful heart helps my girls to develop their own gratitude

- Even on the worst of days, there is always something to smile about or be grateful for


It's so much easier to vent or be negative, but putting thought into being positive creates that positivity we all need during our daily struggles. So - even though I find myself wanting to post a venting status or put a negative spin on something - I won't. And putting those positives in writing makes them even more powerful.

For 40 days I've decided to post my thankfulness of the things and people in my life. Ironically, I will finish day 40 the week of Thanksgiving.   I invite you to join me! :)