Remember the old song that goes something like: “love the one you’re with”? I don’t really remember all of the lyrics to it  but I do recall  the message which is to be happy with what you already have. Many of us have great goals. We are ambitious and aspire to do more and have more for our lives. That is terrific. It is great to have a sense of purpose and direction for ourselves.

It is also, however, easy to fall into the trap of always wanting more or not being happy with our present circumstances or lot.

If we fall into this mindset, then we will never be happy. Once we get the thing we thought would secure our happiness (the new car, job, bigger house etc.), what then?   I think it’s interesting if you ever read about lottery winners is that there may be a jump in perceived happiness levels right at first but it levels off pretty quickly.

I propose we look all around us and feel thankful and happy for what we have in our lives now. God or the universe will only react to that gratitude by giving us more. Remember, what we appreciate appreciates. If we are always wanting more, we are sending a message out there that conveys lack, and that will be what we get back.

Ten ideas to put into action for being happy with what we already have:

1. Even if you think you don’t like your job, bless it and be thankful for it.
2. Bless your bills.  They are proof that you are prosperous with the ability to pay them.
3. Love your home. Even if it is not your dream house or apartment. Lovingly care for it. Make your living space as pleasing and comfortable as you can.
4. Next time you are driving, feel thankful for your car (even if it’s an old beater) and its ability to keep you safe while getting you to where you need to go.
5. Thank the stars if you have a partner who loves you and accepts you. If you have a partner with whom you are struggling with, bless them and feel thankful for the lessons you are learning from being in this relationship.
6. Thank your family members and friends who are there for you.
7. Be thankful for the food you eat.
8. If money is tight but you want adventure, look around and have fun being a tourist in your own backyard. You may very well find treasures right in your own town or within a day’s drive away.
9. Thank the sun.
10. Thank our planet Earth.

We really are so rich and blessed. There are countless reasons to be happy with our lives right now. We don’t have to wait to achieve a certain thing or acquire a certain thing to be happy. We can be happy with what we have already.

Love the ones we are with and the things we have!

Debra : )

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• Counting your blessings: a Monday morning journal writing exercise
• It’s the end of the day. Focus on the good things.
• “Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving”~W.T. Purkiser Listing our blessings: a journal activity