Acknowledging Abundance: Advice for Parents

Just My Luck!

Ever have days when you find yourself focusing on how hard your life is, how unlucky you are, and how unfair it all seems? I'm not talking about major life challenges (illness, divorce, loss of a job), but rather the everyday life-bump stuff (family troubles, money worries, a disgruntled boss). We all can get caught up in poor-me mind chatter from time to time, but it doesn't do us much good. Knee-deep in pity, we feel burdened, weighed down, and stuck in a rut of misfortune. Feeling depleted and helpless, it's hard to muster enthusiasm for anything. "Why bother?" might be your mantra. "It's hopeless. I guess this is just my lot in life." To move from self-pity to joy and optimism takes a shift in focus from what's wrong to what's right. Start acknowledging what you do have, instead of focusing on what's missing. What you focus on grows in your life. What you ignore tends to wither away.

Direct your energy toward abundance by acknowledging it, being grateful for it, and sharing it with others. Remove energy from what's wrong by not thinking about it, complaining about it, or resisting it.

This simple shift of attention starts an upward energy spiral. As you notice what's right (a friend's kindness, perhaps), instead of what's wrong (everyone else forgot your birthday), you feel more supported and cared for. When you feel grateful, you are more willing to share your bounty with others. When you give, the flow of abundance returns to you. So, instead of waiting for fate to deal you a better hand, use gratitude to move your life forward.

1. Inventory Your Riches
2. Accept Free Gifts
3. Acknowledge Generosity
4. Proclaim Your Love of Life
5. Give Thanks for a Glass Half-Full
6. Watch for Miracles
7. Share Your Bounty
8. Go on a Life-Is-Great Date
9. Shake Your Bootie
10. Stop Asking, "Why Me?"
11. Do One Thing You Love Each Day