Do you practice having an attitude of Gratitude or an attitude of Hopelessness?
Noticing which emotion feels more comfortable is a way to start refocusing on how you view your world. It's amazing how we chose to look out into our world either with a cup half full or a cup half empty. The choice is always ours, yet at times, it can feel as though we don't have a choice. Sometimes it can feel like the world is out to get us and that the circumstances outside of us dictate how our life unfolds.
A lot of how we view the world depends on how we are feeling at a particular moment, whether we are feeling hopeful or discouraged. If we're hopeful we give situations and people benefit of the doubt. If we're feeling hopeless or disgruntled often we notice the little things that agitate us. It's important to become the observer of our moods and our subsequent thoughts.
Many times we can be unaware of our thoughts and not realize how sneaky at times they can be. It's like, where did that thought come from? I am amazed at how many thoughts we can have going on in a minute's time. It's as though we're on the Velcro loop of continuous thought. It's those sticky thoughts that hook us, and get us stuck into repetitive thinking of doom and gloom. One minute we can be feeling good, the next minute our life is a total catastrophe. How does that happen so quickly, and how can we gain some control over not being victims within our own head?
A good way to begin is to start to notice repetitive thoughts that you have and whether they expand or contract you. That is, whether they make you feel good or feel lousy. Once you start to notice, then you can shift a thought as soon as you become aware of it. The biggest challenge is to notice.
Another tip is to consciously choose an attitude of gratitude for whatever shows up in your life. Incorporating this into your life on a moment-to-moment, day-to-day practice will help you strengthen the gratitude muscle. It takes discipline and yet with practice it can totally change your life.
This article is based on the words found on page 53, Attitude and Hope, of the newly released book of heart whispers, "The Soul of the Heart" by Catherine VanWetter, Inner Resolution Facilitator of Peace, Compassion, Forgiveness & Love. To review the beautiful, heart-filled pages of "The Soul of the Heart" and to listen to a section of the accompanying meditation CD visit http://TheSoulOfTheHeart.com
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