Jar filled with Gratitude

​​​​​​​​​Phaytea’s Pulse is participating in the #AtoZChallenge for 2017. The Theme is ‘Awakening of Self’ and ‘Jar filled with gratitude’ is our entry for letter J. The theme focuses on character traits that will gear us towards Meaningful Living and will run for 26 days in April except sundays. Please stop by the blog everyday for subsequent posts as we read the 26 letters of the alphabet together. Enjoy!!☺☺

Have you ever had shoes without shoe strings?

There are people who have no feet.

The question above should not just be a line from Jay-Z’s verse in ‘Run this town’, but should be a reminder that we must be contented and grateful.

“I was complaining that I had no shoes till I met a man who had no feet” – Confucuis

Every morning while heading to work, I most likely do two things. I’m either catching up on my emails/social media messages while having small talks with the driver or I get totally absorbed in thoughts about activities for the day.  I worry about things that need to be done and problems that require solution. This is usually the case until I get to the office and get drowned with work.

This morning, it was different. I found myself observing and taking in every detail. The way the driver ahead of us did not use his indicator early enough, the newly opened photography studio on my route to work, the renovated buildings, pedestrians were walking with so much alacrity to their destination, a group of people were arguing by the newspaper stand….definitely about politics, some were waiting to catch a bus……. I was very aware, in high spirit and thankful.

Thankful for the gift of a new day, thankful for a job, thankful for a comfortable means to get to the office, thankful that there was no bad news from my family/ friends and definitely thankful that I started the day with gratitude.

With the way the world is set up, we get carried away with numerous problems and drown ourselves in worry that we totally forget to appreciate the things we have and stay thankful for the things going on well in our life.

Life is filled with so many bumpy rides but life itself is something to be grateful for.

You complain that the sun affects your eye, there are people who wish to look up and steal just one glance at the sun. 

If you think about it, there is always something to be grateful for. No matter how bad we think we have it, there are certainly things which we prayed for and we now have.

With all the problems we are made to handle daily, it is easy for us to drift away from happiness, complain too much and become ungrateful.

To avoid this from happening, the best thing to do is to develop an attitude of gratitude.

“Develop an attitude of gratitude. Say thank you to everyone you meet and everything they do for you”. – Brain Tracy

Having a jar filled with gratitude is basically being content and appreciative of the things going on well in your life.

It involves counting your blessings and looking out for the positive things every new day has to offer.

To live a meaningful life in a place with so much uncertainty, we need to control our thoughts to focus on being thankful to God and anyone else that has contributed to our well-being.

This is because an attitude of gratitude exposes us to opportunities that can further lead us to our goals. It affects our outlook on life, our relationship with others and we handle issues better.

Here’s what a jar filled with gratitude does to you:

• You appreciate life better
• You will be relaxed and happy.
• It reduces worry.
• You make better decisions when you are in a good mood.
•  You are optimistic about everything
• Lots of opportunities. Being grateful to those who helped you will opens new doors for you.
• Better relationship with family and friends.
• Good health.
• You learn to be contented with what you have. 
• Good support system for other people. You can teach others to be grateful.
• Ability to handle emotions well. Nothing will deter you.
• You learn to be patient. Delay is not denial.
• It teaches you self acceptance.
• You get closer to God.
• You can count your blessings.

“Acknowledging the good that you have in your life is the foundation of all abundance” – Eckhart Tolle

For you to have an attitude of gratitude, you need to be very practical. You cannot be grateful in silence. 

Start each day with gratitude. 

Thank God for the gift of a new day.

If someone has done you a favour, say thank you.

Appreciate your family for being supportive.

Say thank you to friends that have been reliable.

Try not to complain so much.

Start a gratitude diary.

As you aim to achieve your goals, be grateful for little beginnings.

We celebrate Easter in a bit, use this opportunity to remind your friends and family about how important they are to you.

I saw on instagram that you can keep a gratitude jar. Each day, write a line of something you are grateful for on a sticky note and drop it in a jar. 

At the end of the year, you will marvel at how your ‘jar is filled with gratitude’ notes.

If you enjoyed reading this post, please share your thoughts about gratitude.

What are you grateful for?

What practical steps have you taken towards being grateful?

Happy Easter Celebration!!!!

Sending hugs your way….

Love, Peace and Cupcakes

Phaytea😘😘😘