Living in Gratitude

 There have been many times in life when I was truly grateful and was sure that our creator was looking out for me, and providing for me in wonderful ways.

 But what do you do when events and circumstances seem to be spiraling out of control into a sea of hopelessness and despair?  Where is the warm fuzzy thankfulness then?  What happened to that thankful feeling?  That comfortable and secure feeling of yesterday vanished in an instant.  Now it is replaced by anguish and despair. 

 There is hope in these times.  It is as close as your mind and your mouth.  The hope comes from having a system in place, prepared for the darker days.  On your lighter days, look in the mirror and describe what you see.  Maybe a younger person with less stress lines looking back at you.  Maybe you don't linger at the mirror, because you have so much to do and you feel a spontaneity to go and enjoy the day.  Take in this feeling.  Soak in this feeling.  Spend time really enjoying and burning this set of emotional and physical events into your being.

For some strange reason, it is human nature to dwell on the bad stuff.  But when great stuff comes along, we glide by it without really examining it.  So, for now, let us really examine the great feelings. 

In your mind, in your imagination, allow yourself to remember a truly fabulous time in your life.  Go there.   Really go there.  Then describe your feelings.  You probably will say something like, "peaceful, secure, satisfied, flowing, fabulous, exhilarated, excited," etc.  It is hard to describe emotions and feelings, so this time just sit back and fill your whole body with the feelings that you had at that wonderful event.  Allow your mind to stay there for several minutes.  If at all possible, close your eyes, and go there in your imagination.  So much so, that you can imagine that you feel, see, smell, taste, and sense the exact things that you did back then. 

After your body is filled with this reenactment, open your eyes, and do it again.  Repeat this process several times.  Repeat this until you can recreate this "feeling" in an instant. 

Every great athlete has one thing in common with every other great athlete.  They practice.  They put in the time and the energy to improve their art.  So, with this too we must practice.   You will never hear an Olympic gold medalists say, "Oh well it just didn't work for me."  You will however hear them say that they practice hours and hours every day.  So too, we can practice the very things that we enjoy and cherish. 

"That's ridiculous!"  You might say.  But consider what you want most out of your life.  Do you want joy or do you want sorrow?  Do you walk around bemoaning the very things that you do not like about your life, or do you practice being joyful and grateful?  Hmmm, something to think about!

If you find yourself practicing misery, then listen closely.  Start today.  Don't wait until tomorrow.  Go find a mirror.  Stand in front of that mirror, and begin to change your facial expressions.  Change the way you stand until you are standing with confidence.  Draw on a past memory to fill your body with the emotions and feelings of excitement and joy.

Any actor becomes a great actor not by portraying their own personality, but by "becoming" the person that they are portraying.  So, today, go find a mirror.  Act like you are the person that you want to be.  Practice until you can instantly become the person that you want to be.  Practice a hundred times a day if need be.  Practice so much that in any given moment, you are able to "act" like you want to act, be who you want to be, and say the things you want to say.  My father used to tell me, "fake it till you make it."  And I believe that this is great advice.  To live in a place of gratitude during times of trial, is a strength that must be built.  So start building today.  Godspeed on our journey through life.   
 
 

Product: 

"The Incurables; Unlock Healing Spirit Mind and Body"  This award winning book is Dr. Speed's first attempt at publishing her work.  In the book, she shares her techniques for healing people of previously incurable maladies.  This book is also a workbook, and can be used as a vehicle for self improvement in all areas of your life.  

Bio

Raised in South Louisiana, Dr. Speed attended Louisiana State University for her undergraduate and medical school training.  She earned her board certification, then went on to specialize in the surgery and treatment of venous disorders, known as Phlebology.    Currently retired from the surgical practice of medicine, she is an award winning author, professional keynote speaker, and workshop facilitator.