Habit of gratitude.

Today I am posting about a habit I have tried to form for the last few months. It's basic, easy, and maybe a little hokey but I assure that it is totally worth doing for the 5 minutes that it takes you.
In our everyday lives, we often get bogged down by the little stresses or problems throughout the day, and for a lot of us it carries over into our relations with our family, friends, and even strangers. We may not even realize that we're doing anything at all, but ask yourself how many times have you lived this day.

A stubbed toe in the morning led to a bad commute to work, which in turn led to a slow, problem-filled work day, which then boiled over into an argument with a co-worker or a family over nothing important.
This downward spiral is not uncommon, and believe me, I've lived through a lot of those days. However, through small changes in my thinking, and a habit of gratitude I have come to live more peacefully and grateful even in the face of countless mini-catastrophes. I'll try and share with you just a few ways I combat the negativity through the formation of habits.

Daily Affirmation- No I'm not talking the hokey look at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself how great you are, but hey, if it works for you then by all means, do it to it. I approach it a bit different. Each morning I wake up and as I look in the mirror I do 3 things. Smile. Take a deep breathe. Give thanks for whatever I'm feeling especially grateful for at the moment. Most days it's simply being alive and able to experience the world. Doing those things shortly after I wake up make sure my day starts on a good note and I go into the rest of the morning with a positive attitude.

Be mindful of your feelings- This one is a little harder and takes some practice. In a nutshell this practice is simply understanding that the emotions you may feel aren't in control of how you act. That being said, it does get difficult when you're so upset that you are sure steam is coming out of your ears. Giving yourself a few seconds to stop, relax, and put your mind to another task. You can then give the situation time to cool off and revisit it with a cooler head. Realizing that you can be furious, sad, anxious, nervous, etc. but still act in a manor that is kind and calm can work wonders for your interpersonal communication.

Make a list- The last habit that I've focused on is simply writing down 3 things each day that I'm grateful for. This helps in those times when life can't get much worse. When you start thinking about the things around you that other people might not have, or have the means to get, your problems start getting smaller and less important. It's funny how quickly an argument with a co-worker seems so petty when you realize that there are people without clean drinking water, food, or homes. People who can't experience the world in the same way you can on account of disability. If you just jot down a few things that you are grateful for it can do wonders for how you perceive your life, and the problems you have.

I hope these little tips on staying upbeat help you out when you're having a rough day, and remember, thoughts become things, so be sure to keep a positive mind!