Gratitude with Attitude

Every once and a while I diverge from my insatiable appetite for fiction books and try something else. When I go off my mystery and romance path I tend to read things that are of a personal nature, about someone who has discovered their path in life; someone who has figured out how to make a difference in this world.

Well, a few weeks ago I found a book titled "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do" by Amy Morin. Quite the mouthful for a title, right?

I know having done several ultra marathons that being mentally strong is very valuable, especially when you hurt everywhere, can't remember the last time you ate, but aren't really hungry, and it's so dark you wonder what is ready to meet you around the bend on the trail. It's not the body that keeps you moving forward, it's the mental strength that convinces yourself, "You can do it."

Anyway, one of the chapters was talking about how to not focus on the negative, but focus on the positive. Amy suggested that the reader identify something positive every day.

So, with the idea of wanting to be mentally strong I vote we all try this. Every day identify something affirmative. Take this positive thing and be grateful for it. Write it down. Share it with others or put it in a jar every day and at the end of the year you can see how much you have to be grateful and happy for.

I will start.

Today I am grateful for my nephew, Codi. Today is Codi's birthday and I hope he has the best day with lots of cake!

I am every happy to have Codi in my life. I may not see him often or talk to him (he's not a phone guy) as much as I would like, but I am thrilled to have him as my nephew. And I am positive that he will soon have a job.