Dare to... Count Your Blessings

"The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings." ~ Eric Hoffer

To completely count all of your blessings that life affords you each and every day would be hard. There's just no way to do that.  But sometimes we are so busy that we forget to pay attention to the blessings that are present in our lives.  And there is no excuse for that. At least a few times a week, you need to remind yourself of your blessings, or you will forget they are there.  Most people have a daily 'to do' list filled with things they need to do for the day; problems that needed to be solved. So many problems that they never get around to counting their blessings. 

How about this. Your car won't start  You spill your coffee on your new skirt. You wanted to throw in the towel, drive home and crawl back in bed. You may be fed up to here. You may say that you have had enough. Every single thing that could go wrong seemingly did.  And that fed-uppedness spilled over into your whole day.  It all starts with one bad event and then it seems  to start a chain reaction...or so you think. 

You can turn things around. Realize that when you let that first unfortunate event push you over the edge your life has a tendency to spiral out of control.  Instead of just laughing about it and chalking it up to just another day in paradise, your day takes a turn for the worst and no amount of resuscitation can salvage it.  Its all about awareness, pausing and being attentive to all the ways you have been blessed. Use the three easy ways below to count your blessings.

• Keep a tablet and pen (or an iPad) on your nightstand, beside your bed. Why, because some studies show that people who, a few times a week, write down  some things they are grateful for, report fewer physical symptoms and feel better about their lives as a whole. Also, they have, a more positive state of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, attentiveness and energy about the upcoming day compared to those who record hassles or focus on negative events. They're also more likely to make progress toward important personal goals.
• Think of a person who has been kind to you that you've wanted to thank.  A teacher, mentor or your parent, and write a letter to them... one or all of them. You don't even have to send it to feel happier. 
• Nurture your spirituality. Surveys show that people with strong spiritual faith ... any religion or denomination, are happier than those who are irreligious. Maybe because faith provides social support, a sense of purpose and a reason to focus beyond the self, all of which help root people around other people.  Being attuned spiritually also affords you the opportunity to get more inwardly focused.  The deep breathing during meditation and prayer can slow down the body, reduce stress, anxiety and physical tension, helping you to pull positive emotions and energy forward into awareness.

Not every day is a great day, and not every day is a bad day. But there is something good in every day, just be  open to the possibility that there is something good in every day. Pause to feel grateful when something good happens. You just have to be aware and open to the possibility that they exist.... you must choose to count your blessings. Counting your blessings is about focusing on what you have, instead of focusing on what you want. It's about focusing on what you're grateful for and appreciate in your life today.  So I dare you to... count your blessings.