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When was the last time you showed some sort of gratitude in your life? I’m not referring to the ‘thank you’ you gave your partner for passing the mashed potatoes over Sunday roast. When was the last time you truly took a moment out of your busy schedule to acknowledge the blessings you were given in life?

If you haven’t in a while, you should know it’s good not only for your mental state but for your health. Gratitude has been scientifically shown to be good for the heart and nervous system, leading to positive changes in immune function and hormonal balance.

In life, many of us take a lot of things for granted. Little do we know, however, that millions of people are wishing for the same things you forget people do without.

What about your mood everyday? How many times would you reply with ‘not bad thanks’ when someone asks you how you are? You could be feeling great, yet your answer instills that something is missing in your life for you to be great.

“Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.” – Zig Ziglar

Likewise, we have evolved to get what we want when we want it and when we don’t, this puts a frown on our face. When we set expectations of any sort in life, the second they aren’t met can keep you stuck in a negative swirl of self-pity and negativity. It’s not your fault though. Society is somewhat to blame.

More specifically, the evolution of advertising and marketing campaigns are indirectly to blame for the most part. Advertising has become a part of our culture since the 1950’s, by targeting our needs and wants.

Our basic needs are supposed to satisfy food, water, warmth, and rest. We are supposed to be happy if these are met. Yet, advertising has made us need more than the basics to be satisfied.

The need for food isn’t satisfied unless it’s a Big Mac. The need for water isn’t satisfied unless it’s Evian. The need for warmth isn’t satisfied unless it’s a Tommy Hilfiger hoodie and the need for rest isn’t satisfied unless it’s a premium mattress.

Likewise with wants, you could own Hilfiger jeans, Nike shoes, and a Versace top, yet if a Rolex advertisement comes along, you’re going to forget all those things and focus on what you don’t have, the watch.

Same goes with all advertisements you come across day to day. They all make you think about what’s missing in your life. This thinking can cause you to form a pessimistic outlook on life.

Changing your attitude

How can I be happy? The answer is actually a choice we have the power to make. We can choose to be happy at any time. We aren’t, simply because we are so used to external gratifications to meet our needs and wants.

When we take a moment in our day to reflect and be grateful for what we already have in life, that’s when gratitude will change your attitude. As you stop focusing on what’s missing in your life and you spend a few minutes of gratitude each day, you’ll start noticing a powerful change in your life.

When you stop taking anything at all for granted, all experiences in your life will start being seen through a new lens. Even the negative situations in your life will be seen differently.

“Learn to be thankful for what you already have, while you pursue all that you want.” – Jim Rohn

Conclusion

Gratitude will change your attitude. As gratitude becomes a habit, it will become your predominant state of being. The more you radiate positive energy, the more you will attract positive experiences in your life.

It really is as simple as that. Most of us just don’t know the choice is ours, yet it is. Freedom begins by making the conscious decision to stop complaining and being negative.

Now, you will meet resistance and fall back into old thinking patterns quite frequently, but like all change, progress isn’t a linear process.

Persist with your daily gratitude habits each and every day and you’ll notice a stronger smell of roses with each passing day.

What are you grateful for today? Share it with us in the comments!