If you could choose one prayer for the rest of your life, which one would it be? Maybe the “Our Father”?
Limiting yourself to one prayer is difficult but there are two words that could do it all. If you could only choose one prayer, I think “Thank You” would be enough, encompassing all others.
When your heart is filled with gratitude, there is no room for want or worry. There is just wonder!
Start your day with gratitude and carrying it throughout your day.
Upon waking, before your feet hit the floor, your first thought could be “Thank You”. I usually add a few more thoughts like, “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad.” (Psalm 118) “What grand and glorious adventure do you have for me today?”
This “full heart” and “sense of wonder” pave the way for the day, feeling and looking for goodness.
As you go through your day, count your blessings. Find things to be grateful for, especially the little things that we sometimes take for granted and overlook as true gifts.
Be on the lookout for positive memories, funny moments that made you laugh, beauty in nature, accomplishments, small successes, words from friends, or pleasant surprises. Soak up the sunshine (even in the AZ heat), take a deep breath and bless your lungs and good health.
Because we are surrounded by these blessings, we take so many aspects of our blessed lives for granted. We hurry through our days and we forget about seeing our “everyday” occurrences through the eyes of gratitude: spending time with friends and family, eating food that nourishes, and taking in the beauty that surrounds us.
Use affirmations during the day to focus your attention on the abundance that surrounds you. “I live in wealth and am surrounded by abundance.” “I enjoy and am grateful for God’s blessings wherever I find them.” Enjoy each and every minute wherever you are.
When we frame our day in gratitude for our many gifts, we will attract and surround ourselves with even more. I especially like to recall the psalm, “…only goodness and kindness will follow me.” Seek it and cherish it.
Bloom where you are planted. Remember that even bad days have happy moments to be grateful for.
