Wednesday, July 25, 2012

An Easy Way to Be Happy

Being thankful is one of the easiest ways to live a happy life. Several years ago Oprah Winfrey introduced a wonderful book titled Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach.



This book changed my life simply by the author's suggestion to write down five things everyday for which  I was thankful. 

Now, I was not unhappy at the time, but I did complain a lot. At the time the book came out I was a stay at home mom with four children - quadruplets - and I did moan and groan about my life. Then I read this book and I decided to keep a "Gratitude Journal."


I did use the one above, but I found that a simple notebook purchased at the food store was just perfect. 





I would sit down every morning with my coffee and list five things I was grateful for. I soon discovered that I had many more than five. I was making a longer list as time went on. 



I wrote:
Dear God, thank you for . . .




Soon I found that I was not complaining about my life, instead I was telling everyone how blessed and wonderful it was. My marriage was happier. My children were happier. I was happy!!!! And all it took were two little words - THANK YOU!


I still sit down every morning, with my coffee, and write down at least five blessings  for which I am abundantly grateful. I am a very happy person. I love my life! 

Go, do it now! Grab a piece of paper and a pen and write down 5 things you are thankful for. Then do it again tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that, etc. Watch how your life will change. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I am thankful for you.  











3 comments:

  1. Terry, I followed the Simple Abundance philosophy for years in the 1990s-early 2000s; I even belonged to an online group of 10-15 women who became very close friends and we listed our gratitudes daily on AOL and then Yahoo. It makes such a difference! I haven't been feeling very 'SA' lately, so providence brought me to your blog for a reason today- thanks for the reminder! Connie

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  2. Hi Terry, I have this book & have read it in the past. BUT, I forgot about it! I'll get it out again. And I LOVE keeping a gratitude journal. It changes my whole perspective. Thanks for the reminder.

    Warmly, Michelle

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  3. Hi Terry, Simple Abundance influenced my life greatly, too. In fact, I took up her challenge to write a daily devotional in 2003. In 2011 I posted it daily on-line as my first Blog and now I have two new Blogs this year. Thank you for sharing your experience. I think the word most definitely should be spread about the book. It is as relevant today as it was when it was written.

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