Do you ever get so busy that you forget to celebrate the awesomeness of life...even in the little things?  Do you find yourself focusing on negative qualities of the day more than the positive qualities?  Can you easily pick out what went wrong in your day and struggle to pick out what went right in your day?  Do you feel like you are constantly surrounded by chaos?  If this sounds like you, then I encourage you to accept the challenge of changing your focus on life.

I understand that necessary daily activities can sometimes lead to frustration, work can be overwhelming, and taking care of family and friends can be burdensome, but I also know that positive situations happen each day, whether you are aware of them or not. 

Here is a list of positive qualities to look for in your life.  Most of these items are small and easily missed, but I invite you to begin paying attention to them.  You'll be surprised at how different your life may look when recognizing positive qualities and situations.

1. I heard my favorite song on the radio.
2. My child fell asleep with no trouble.
3. I received a phone call from a friend.
4. Someone gave me an unexpected hug.
5. I arrived to work on time.
6. My boss gave me a compliment.
7. I was a safe driver in rush hour traffic.
8. There was no line at the restaurant where I ate my lunch today.
9. I found a dollar.
10. I enjoyed the sunshine for 5 mintues.
11. I smiled.
12. I laughed.
13. My child did something silly.
14. I am alive.

This list in is no way complete, however, I think it suggests ideas about what to look for in your daily life that you can appreciate.  A joy in your life can be as simple as "the copier didn't run out of paper while I was making important copies," and as extravagant as "I won the lottery!"  Each positive aspect counts, no matter how large or small.

Over the next few weeks, I encourage you to write down the positive things from your day.  If writing is not helpful or you feel you do not have the time, then I encourage you to tell someone important to you one positive thing that happened each day.  Not only will your thinking begin to change, but others who hear you speak about the positive qualities in your life will also begin changing as they begin looking for their positives. 

If you find this activity incredibly difficult, I encourage you to think about your overall mood.  Have you noticed yourself become less happy and hopeful over the past few months?  Are you sleeping more?  Is it hard to find happiness in every part of your life?  If so, you may be experiencing signs of depression, and I encourage you to contact a professional counselor in your area.  We value life at the Lotus Group and celebrate the highs and lows of life with our clients.  If you are experiencing difficulty in your life, please call us at 595-5555 to speak with someone today.  Making this phone call may be a positive part of your day.

Kristie L. Watts          Lotus Group    Fishers, IN      595-5555         www.lotusgroup.biz       

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