The More You Speak Gratitude, the More It Will Help Your Overall Mood

I lived in a complex where I had 15 speed bumps to go over to get to the condo I lived in.

When I first started living there, every time I would go over one of the speed bumps, I would say out of frustration that I would rather loudly add profanity.

I went in and out of this complex up to eight times a day while I lived there.

Imagine going over 120 speed bumps each day and screaming profanity each time.

I was frustrated, to say the least, not just with the speedbumps, but where my life had been led at that time.

I did this routine for several months until I realized that nothing good could come from me saying profanity every single time I went over the speedbumps 120 times a day.

So, I decided to change my thinking and my voice every time I went over said speedbumps.

I started saying things I was grateful for out loud.

“I’m grateful for my health.”
“I’m grateful for each of my children” (I have four that took care of four different speed bumps)
“I’m grateful I can hear the music I am listening to while driving.”
“I’m grateful for this car that can get me to the condo that I live. “
“I’m grateful I can see to drive over the speed bumps.”
“I’m grateful I have the means that I can take care of myself.”
“I’m grateful for learning coping skills.”
“I’m grateful for the gift I’ve received of writing.”
“I’m grateful for my parents.”
“I’m grateful for my life experience.”
“I’m grateful for my best friend.”
“I’m grateful for positive thoughts.”

Each day my words of gratitude varied.

Your speed bumps in life differ from mine.

Every person has something or someone to be grateful for, no matter how awful you may think your day or even your life is at the time.

Can you identify a speed bump in your life and find a way to be grateful for it?

When you feel you live in a dark storm, you must turn on your light and shine to find your way out of your own darkness by asking yourself in the mirror, “Where can I be more grateful and less hateful?”

I encourage you to try this mindfulness exercise at least once. Ask your reflection in the mirror, “Where can I be more grateful and less hateful?”

What was the first thing you thought of?

How can you be grateful instead of hateful?

When can you start applying your gratitude?

Remember to ask yourself these questions facing a mirror.

Your gratitude practice affects more than just you.

The sooner you start applying gratitude in what you feel is a not so comfortable situation, you will be better for yourself and those around you.

By asking yourself questions, you will better understand yourself and what area or areas in your life need more gratitude.

I became aware of my thoughts and the words I spoke, and more greatness came into my life as I drove in and out of that complex every day over those “gratitude reminders’” as I started calling them.

I’ll never forget when and why I bought that property when my parents lived there, when my family lived there when I lived there by myself, and the last time I left and why.

I remembered to give gratitude as I went over each gratitude reminder as I left one sunny afternoon in the fall of 2020 behind the wheel of a moving truck wearing a smile and headed towards my new home.

Since I no longer have the “gratitude reminders” to go over every day, I found another way to give gratitude to continue to have more greatness come into my life. I now give gratitude as I bend down to pick up trash left from the ocean waves.

I now say every time I pick up a piece of trash on the beach:

“I’m grateful I have the physical ability to do this every day for my children’s future.”
“I’m grateful I live so close to the beach.”
“I’m grateful I can see the sunrise every day.”
“ I’m grateful for the sand between my toes.”
“I’m grateful for the island breeze.”
“I’m grateful for the peace in my home.”
“I’m grateful for each of my children.”
“I’m grateful more snowbirds and tourists are coming back.”

And each day, it varies just like the gratitude reminders before.

I believe me speaking what I was grateful for then and what I am grateful for now will continue to bring greatness into my life. I’ve learned that thinking the opposite only creates more speed bumps.

Life is entirely too short to be hateful. I choose to be grateful.

During the speed bump phase of my life, I hurt myself and the people I loved the most. I wasn’t conscious of my words.

Start speaking words of gratitude today about your speed bump and pay attention to the greatness that will happen in your life tomorrow.