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Do you ever have days where you're pretty darn sure that everyone else around you is happier, more successful, and having a much easier time with life? Well, that feeling isn't so rare, but it's worth fighting. Psychology Today's Jennifer Kunst covers the "grass is always greener" territory with some wise words:
Many troubles of the mind involve turning away from reality by being preoccupied with the search for another life, a different life, perhaps a better life somewhere else...The reason why this attitude undermines is that it leads us to turn away from the main task of life which is to make the most of what we have.
To paraphrase Buddha, happiness is to learn to want what you have and not want what you don't have, and positive psychologists are discovering that this lesson is key to sustained happiness. In a consumer culture, finding happiness with what you have can be tricky when faced with pressure to buy more, do more, and be more, but the following simple exercise is a great way to begin a journey toward gratitude.
One of the most oft-recommended ways to plant yourself into the greenest grass zone is the following: start a notebook and write down the things/people/moments you appreciate that day. Add to the list daily, review it at the end of the week, and you'll find your life may be much richer than you thought. In fact, start right now with just a thought: what am I grateful for right now? For me, the answer is easy: coffee, coffee, coffee!
Wanna share your thankful thought in the comments? Please do!
