Saying "thank you" goes beyond simply conforming to society's norms. While the expression may be used automatically in our daily lives, the practice of giving thanks is more powerful than you ordinarily think.
The Law of Attraction applies when you feel grateful. It works by picking up the frequency at which your thoughts travel and bounces the same energy right back at you. If you harbor negative feelings about something, you will generate more of those feelings. If you are grateful about what you have, you will receive more things to be grateful for.
The power of positive thinking
Gratitude for things around you creates a positive attitude that not only lifts your mood but also has a way of attracting more of the good things. As the old adage goes, "It takes two to tango." When you are angry, notice how the person to whom you are directing your anger at responds with the same angry attitude. When you smile at someone, the other person automatically smiles back at you.
The same principle applies to gratefulness. When you feel ungrateful for the bad things in your life, you emit negative emotions of jealousy, resentment, dissatisfaction, or inadequacy. As you dwell in these feelings, you generate more negative thoughts and find yourself sinking deeper into a situation of helplessness, frustration or desperation.
On the other hand, when you give thanks for the good things in your life, you generate happy thoughts that inspire you to do more about your situation.
Many of those who have discovered "The Secret" and authors of wealth creation books all recommend having an attitude of gratitude and suggest the following:
Adopt gratitude as a way of life
To reap the positive benefits of gratitude, you must practise appreciation as a way of life. Express gratitude the moment you wake up. Give thanks for the new day that is ahead of you. As you go through your day, say thanks for the smallest things that come your way and notice how there are many things to be thankful for after all.
See the good in any situation
Bear in mind that you normally experience happiness or sadness, but never both opposite feelings at the same time. When you make it a habit to focus on the silver lining behind the cloud that you encounter each day, you keep sadness at bay by generating within yourself a positive mood, and a sense of happiness and well-being.
Start a gratitude journal
A journal is a timeless practice of writing down one's daily activities and thoughts about recent events. For some, it is a chronicle, while for others it is an outlet of unexpressed emotions that are begging to be released. In creating a gratitude journal, it is best to cite the positive things instead of the negative ones that you encounter everyday. List down the good things that you are grateful for and express your thanks for them in writing.
When you are always thankful for what you have, you are constantly reminded that daily challenges merely occupy specific moments in time. Just as old wounds have a way of healing in time, problems such as yours shall inevitably pass. Stop negative thoughts in their tracks by recalling one good thing for which you are grateful.
Originally published on Jul 10, 2009
