Gratitude Changes Attitude.

I love November. Even though I am a summer girl through and through. For me, November is the beginning of something new. The air is crisp with the occasional warm day.  The leaves are falling.  It is fire pit weather.  Fire in the fireplace weather. It is the month of trying to figure out how you are going to see your family when everyone has a different work schedule during the month and you realize Christmas is just around the corner.

 It is also the month ‘To be Thankful’. 

It seems to be the month of reflection…..

What am I thankful for?  Who am I thankful for? Or, am I thankful for anything?  Or, ‘what do I have to be thankful for….if you only knew….’

As I get older I realize that sometimes we have a tendency to forget where we came from and compare where we are…or are not. I totally forget that when I met my husband he was making $16,000 a year. We lived in a garage apartment and were happy just being together.

I then think about my own attitude NOW. Is it an attitude of entitlement? Or an attitude of irritation? Or an attitude of underlying anger or resentment? Or an attitude of un-forgiveness? Or an attitude of expectations. Am I prideful or humble? Do any of those resonate with you?

Are you –

1. Angry with your mom?
2. Frustrated with your son?
3. Ready to push your sister off the nearest cliff?
4. Trying to out-decorate your neighbor down the street?
5. In debt trying to ‘keep up with the Jones’?
6. Resentful of your small apartment?
7. Hating the way you are aging?

Question – do you like those feelings that you have?  Or are you numb to them – because maybe they have always been there.  Are you like a baby with a dirty diaper who thinks – ‘It’s mine, it’s warm, and I like it”?

I was wondering if you would consider making a small change.  A small change that could impact you forever.  A small change that might just change those attitudes that you have.

What if you –

1. Thanked your mom for giving you life.
2. Were grateful for the son that was given to you.
3. Realized that some people don’t have sisters but you do.
4. Decided to be content with what you have?
5. Thought ‘who are those Jones’ anyway’? ‘Why do I think they are any better than me?’  And stopped spending and comparing.
6. Looked around and realized, that by the grace of God, you could be homeless and living on the street….in this very cold month of November.
7. Were grateful that you have the opportunity to age.

Gratitude changes attitude.

Being thankful, even in the little things, pushes aside all the attitudes that do NOT serve us well.

 How about –

• ‘My knees are killing me’ to….I am so thankful that I can walk.
• ‘My car is old and beat up’ to….I am so thankful that I have a car.
• ‘My apartment is tiny’ to….I am so thankful that I have a roof over my head (with heat).
• ‘I can’t afford new clothes’ to….I am so thankful that I have clothes in my closet and shoes on my feet.
• ‘It takes so long to rake those darn leaves’ to….I am so thankful that I have a yard (and a rake).
• ‘My kids hardly come to visit’ to….I am so thankful to have kids and love it when they do visit.
• ‘My friends never call me’ to….I have a few great friends and I will pick up the phone and call them.

Gratitude Changes Attitude Freebie

I would like to give you something that is normally part of my Joyful Living Toolbox (this amazing resource has SO many great tools to help you eliminate the overwhelm and stress of life). You can find more about it HERE.

I am including a FREE download for you to print out. Go on and grab your ‘Gratitude Changes Attitude' HERE

Please take a moment and think about what are you thankful for…really. Answer the questions. Keep it nearby.

Whenever you feel angry, irritated, frustrated or just down right ungrateful….read what you wrote. Remind yourself that gratitude changes attitude.

Continually remind yourself that you are a child of God. The same God who loves you, has your back and knows you are worthy.  He yearns for you to be content. ‘I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances’ (Philippians 4:11). Learned is the key word here. Contentment. Gratitude. Thankfulness. They do not come naturally.

According to Harvard Health, giving thanks can make you happier!

AND –

How about printing it out and giving everyone a copy who comes to visit this holiday season. Maybe discuss ONE item of thankfulness at the Thanksgiving table.

You might just be surprised what others have to say.

I am praying that you have a safe and thankful November (a great starting point) for gratitude.

And, please forward this post to anyone who you think could use a reminder that there is always something to be thankful for!

Now, sometimes life can get pretty overwhelming, right?

Especially around the holidays.

And sometimes, when you are overwhelmed, stress sets in.

And when stress sets in it is sometimes difficult to be happy or joyful. So, please don’t let stress have the last word! 

Go on and take a look at the ‘Top 5 Stress Reducers’ (Action Plan included). So that you can eliminate what causes you stress and get on the path of living a joyful life.

What is Joyful Living all about?

Joyful Living is ALL about not letting let the circumstances of YOUR life determine who you really are. You learn to choose YOU instead! Not sure how to do that? Let me help! 

To begin, go ahead and read:

What is Joyful Living?
5 Simple Steps to Choosing Joy
Finding Joy in All Things
What Does God Say About Joy?
Difference Between Happiness and Joy