A big Thank You to Melissa Cohen who provided the following guest post:
Do you find yourself comparing your life with others’, marveling at how other people seem “to have it all together”? Sometimes we can lose ourselves in wondering how we measure up to some standard set by ourselves, our families or by the community at large. Comparison keeps us in what I call “The Mindset of Lack,” and this mindset leads to misery.
The antidote is gratitude. Gratitude is more than being thankful when someone does something for you. Gratitude is a practice. It is training your mind to focus on the positive, to see the beauty in simple things, to know that every day is a gift. For truly happy people, gratitude is a way of life.
Maybe your life isn’t perfect but the choices you’ve made and the challenges you’ve faced have brought you here. Even if “here” is a place that needs a little adjustment, that’s okay. There are always gifts in any present moment. I try to spend a moment everyday, alone and with my children, to express gratitude. We call it our “gratitude attitude.” Some days it may feel like an enormous act of creativity to find things for which to be thankful. For example, I once had someone ask me how to be grateful on a day when her entire family had a stomach flu. I told her that she could choose to be grateful for indoor plumbing. Forcing yourself to dwell in gratitude will remind you of how good your life really is and will definitely lighten your mood.
About Melissa
Melissa Cohen is a psychotherapist in private practice is Westfield, New Jersey. With more than 15 years experience, she has treated countless men and women whose lives are “good on paper” and yet they feel dissatisfied. Often those who seek her services feel stuck in their lives but do not know why or how to make productive changes. Life is increasingly complex and it can be difficult to see our own roadblocks to happiness. Melissa helps her clients identify these obstacles and assists them in getting what they want and deserve. For more information or to contact Melissa please click here.
I appreciate your wisdom Melissa. As I mentioned on my newsletter today, my 6 year old had a bad fall and hit her front teeth. I am grateful for living so close to the dentist and for the fact that he saw her within 10 minutes of us calling him.
What is everyone else grateful for today?
Beyond Grateful for all the amazing people in my life right know who foster and support my growth and happiness.
Randy, isn’t it beautiful to have those kind of people around you? I assume this kind of support is something that you have attracted and fostered yourself.
I am profoundly grateful for my two healthy children and my wonderful husband.
Thank Jill. Yesterday, while I was at a business lunch, someone mentioned a little boy who is very sick and whose prognosis is not good. Healthy children (and husband) is also something that I am grateful for.
I am grateful for and moved by the wonderful women in my community that I have had the opportunity of connecting with on a meaningful level. Inspired by Lucila’s “Perfect Mom” workshop, three months ago I started a weekly women’s cirlce with the other moms in my community. We meet weekly to talk about our “imperfections”. It has been a wonderful way of getting to know them and feeling a profound sense of community. I have never felt so much support and encouragement!