Appreciating What You Have In Your Life

Appreciating What You Have In Your Life
by Kimberley Cohen

Sometimes it’s difficult to appreciate what you have in your life because you might be looking at and longing for what you don’t have.
When you can be grateful for the love and abundance in your life right now, you are less likely to be stressed or anxious about what you feel is missing or lacking.
This isn’t always easy since the grass can look pretty lush and green on the other side of the fence, so to speak.
When you are concentrating on what’s not happening in your life, or what you don’t have, or are trying to blame or justify why things are as they are, then you miss all the greatness that is already surrounding you and blessing your life.
We can become sidetracked by, or stuck in the wanting, needing, and having, instead of being grateful for what we do have.
Sure, things, people, and situations might not be all you thought or expected them to be and here lies the problem, you have put an expectation on them, not an appreciation of them.
Being grateful for what’s in your life doesn’t mean you can’t reach for the stars or your dreams, but don’t overlook the gifts and blessings that are already there, and they are there.
You might be feeling, "What do I have to be grateful for?", and believe me, there was a period of time in my life where I struggled with this myself.
I allowed other people and situations to take over my life; I didn’t value myself or the light that was within and surrounding me, I could only see the darkness that seemed to be engulfing me.
What I thought would be "greener pastures" turned out to be some pretty rough terrain, and once I made my way through I was able to truly appreciate all I had to let go of and still had in my life.
It wasn’t the things I owned, nor the things I believed were important, that I appreciated, although I was grateful for what I had left. What became crystal clear to me were the everyday things I took for granted, overlooked, underestimated, under-appreciated, or minimized.
I always appreciated and loved my family and friends but I never knew the magnitude of my feelings towards them and from them, and the love and support that surrounded me.
Noticing ordinary things like birds singing, or the squirrels running along the fence, or the sun shining, or the rain glistening on the pavement, was like I was experiencing them for the first time, and in a sense I was because I was appreciating them rather than just seeing them.
Nature sang to me like I had never heard it; life was something to be lived and be thankful for. The smallest and biggest things made me smile; the simplest of things like a warm cup of tea, or a hug or kind word, or a smile from a stranger brought me great joy and often a tears to my eyes.
So, don’t wait for tomorrow, or for something to change, or for something or someone better, be grateful for what is in your life right now, this very moment.
If you take a closer look, you may see that the grass on which you stand is a lot greener than you once thought. In fact, you might even want to take off your shoes and dance around with a song in your heart and gratitude in your step.
When you appreciate all that you have, life becomes more alive, vibrant, and expanded.
How can things not look and feel brighter when you are in the space of true gratitude?
Blessings are in your life everyday. Even if you temporarily lose sight of them, they are there waiting for you to embrace them.
When you value what’s in your life, you are saying thank-you to God, The Universe, for what is surrounding you now and for what is to come.
What is one thing you appreciate in your life? If you don’t already, begin today to write down what you are grateful for.
Maybe you can only think of one thing; that’s okay, in time you will be filling the page.
Some days you may have more than others, and sometimes you may have to really think about it because it might seem like the worst day you have ever had, but if you look around you, especially to nature, you will probably find more than one thing that you appreciate and may even make you smile.
Appreciate the good that already exists in your life and anticipate the miracles and magic that is to come.
The Insight Technique™ assists you in gaining insights and clarity through personal and professional challenges so you can appreciate and enjoy more of your life.