“If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is Thank You, it will be enough.”
– Meister Eckhart

This is the quote inside the front cover of ‘The Simple Abundance Journal of Gratitude”, a book I have purchased each year for the past 19 years. To say that this book has changed my life is an absolute understatement.

Like many of you, I’ve had my ups and downs in life and in business. One thing I learned on that particular day, listening to that particular interview by Oprah Winfrey with Sarah Ban Breathnach, is that an attitude of gratitude changes everything. Everything!

• It changes the way you think.
• It changes the way you look at things.
• It changes the way you go through your day.

“Good, the more communicated, more abundant grows.”
– John Milton

I tell this to many people and I say it often. What I hear, in reply, is that they aren’t able to think of 5 things each day to write down in the Journal. Ok, so knowing that this is a habit (which easily and quickly becomes a lifestyle), I get it. Most of us go around each day with a focus on what’s wrong with the world – what’s wrong with OUR world.

In the spirit of Canadian Thanksgiving, let me share some of the simple, yet powerful, things that happen in most of our worlds, each and every day. This will help to get you started – and, trust me, I highly recommend this as a new habit for you and your family.

The idea of the Gratitude Journal is to end your day and write down 5 things for which you are grateful. In life, as in business, I find that people over-complicate this. Simplify it. Here are a few ideas to get you started – as shared by Sarah Ban Breathnach (and me!):

• Opening your eyes in the morning and being able to see a sunrise.
• Trying something new and loving it.
• An afternoon to do as you please.
• The smell of fresh coffee.
• The first bite of a yummy breakfast.
• Room service (I travel a lot and really appreciate this!)
• Finding a parking spot exactly where you need one.
• A face time chat with your grandchild.
• A sense of pride in a job well done.
• Receiving a card in the mail …..just because.
• Fitting into your fall wardrobe.
• Your mentor/coach.
• A book, a couch, a rainy day and a fireplace.
• Winning at Scrabble.
• A new, ideal client.
• The sound of raindrops on the roof.
• Seeing the physical results of your workouts. (yes!)
• A song that triggers happy memories.
• The perfect speaking gig.
• A bucket of fresh picked blueberries. (my favorite)
• A strong mindset so you can bounce back from some life hits.
• The privilege to be able to read.
• A team member who goes above and beyond because they believe in you and in the work you are doing.
• The smell of turkey – and an invitation to enjoy it with people you love.
• That the day is over (as you crawl into bed and turn out the light on a day that might have been rough).

I could go on and on and on. I pulled some of these from my own Journals over the past few years. You can see how simple this is – it really is just a matter of habit and deciding it is something you want to incorporate into your life.

I can personally assure you that it makes a huge difference in the way you think, act and live your life.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING.