The Gratitude Effect

By: Selma Lewis
The Simplest Secret to A Better Life. Period

Today I'm going talk to you about my very favorite topic for helping people have a better life. It's so simple… I can already hear you going, "Oh no, don't tell me that!"

The Power of a Gratitude List

But it's true— it's called a gratitude list.

When I first heard about gratitude lists I thought it was “woo-woo”. However, brain scientists have shown us that you can actually “change” your brain when you start sorting for things that are working and pleasurable, and loving in your life, rather than what many of us do— sort for the negative.

I used to walk into a restaurant and I could look around and tell you what was wrong in just a few seconds. Now, I sort for what's positive. It's increased the value in my life enormously and I highly recommend it to all of my clients.

Today, I start every day with my gratitude list. Sometimes, I sit and write it, sometimes I run through my list in the shower. The key is to commit to it every day.

Many of my clients have been doing it and some people even call me occasionally to say, "You know, I saw you a few years ago and thank you so much for telling me to do the gratitude list. It's changed me in so many positive ways."

How to Make a Gratitude List

Do this: take five things every day that you are grateful for and list them— ideally every 24 hours so you can get in the habit of doing it. Some people do it before bed, some people do it in the morning. It doesn't matter when— consistency is what matters.

It's very simple, you can think of something that occurred in the last 24 hours or the last week that touched you in some way.

It can be either very simple things we can take for granted or for more complex feelings like an experience that you just had. Having things that you can consistently be grateful for is very powerful. For me, I’ve always being grateful for having eyesight. I love to look at nature, beautiful colors, pretty things, and the faces of young children whom are full of so much potential.

You too can think of other things as basic as that. Things that you love as well as that kind smile someone gave you this morning on the street that just made you feel better. A kind deed that you observed. Or, maybe even a kind deed you did for someone else today.

Getting in touch with gratitude triggers your heart to open, and gets you to be in a more loving place in the world. With the way the world is today, I think all of us could use a lot more gratitude, kindness, lovingness— so think about this and incorporate it into your schedule.

Think about where it would fit in your life. Start today and do it everyday.

Thank you all for watching, and have a great life :)