“If you don’t feel grateful for what you already have,
what makes you think you will be happy with more?”-Unknown
Today I want to talk about the power of gratitude in your life and why you should get some! I decided to write about gratitude because I have noticed when I practice gratitude in my life it changes a negative attitude into an attitude of positivity. I don’t have a perfect life, yet gratitude brings joy and perfection to my surroundings. So this beautiful morning I want to show you that with gratitude in your life you will not focus on what you are missing, but on the abundance of your life.
I heard my grandmother express gratitude every day of her life. Back then I did not fully comprehend what she was doing but now I know that, “Gracias a Dios,” or, “Thank the Lord,” was a way she expressed her gratitude. As a child I did not understand what she was grateful for. She was a poor mother of six children who she raised on her own for half of the year, because my grandfather was in the United States working. Her oldest daughter suffered from a mental disorder that devastated the whole family economically and emotionally, yet she gave gratitude that her daughter was alive and still with the family. This attitude of gratitude gave her strength to prevail in a tough times. 
Why should you practice gratitude?
Not only because I can tell you from personal experience that it makes you feel phenomenal, but also science has proven the benefits are endless! Research has demonstrated that people who regularly practice gratitude by taking time to notice and reflect upon the things that they are thankful for experience more positive emotions, feel more alive, sleep better, express more compassion and kindness, and even have a stronger immune system. Gratitude gives you power! Gratitude gives focus to all the wonderful things in your life that you may take for granted. With gratitude you don’t feel a sense of lack, but quite the opposite. When you practice gratitude you let the universe know that you are open to more beautiful things that it is preparing for you!
When and how should you practice gratitude?
You should practice gratitude every waking moment of your life! Notice and appreciate each day’s gifts. Start by being grateful for your breath, family and home. It is best if you also notice what new things you are also grateful for. When practicing gratitude it is also suggested that journaling is a good way to keep it going. When journaling you should be specific. For example, if you write you are grateful for your children, what exactly are you grateful for? When I think about my son and daughter. I am grateful for my son’s sarcasm. He is fourteen, so his sarcasm makes me laugh. I am grateful to daughters smile because she makes me smile. Please don’t limit yourself to only writing, but if it works for you do it! Be practical, the whole point of being grateful is to be present and count your blessings no matter how small they may be, not to add another task to your life.
Did I get you to think of what you are grateful for? Gratitude should not simply be a reaction to getting what you want. Trust me when I tell you that if you try to find gratitude into your experiences, even when they are negative there will be a more positive result. Look around I bet there are many things that you can be grateful for. It’s a matter of changing the lens! I hope you have a week filled with gratitude. Until next Monday, Believe. Change. Become!