To be successful at anything, it really begins with having a sense of gratitude.

Gratitude is the quality of being thankful, a readiness to show appreciation for, and to return kindness to others. And studies confirm counting our blessings improves our psychological, emotional and physical well-being.

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Adopting an attitude of gratitude for life, our surroundings and experiences helps us grow into happier, kinder people. Those around us will be drawn to our positive energy, sensing our appreciation towards them. It's a wonderful feeling to be around an emotionally healthy person - we can relax to create the space to allow others to enter our lives.

“Feeling grateful and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”

— William Arthur Ward

OK so what do we have to be grateful for?

Try this exercise to get you in the moment, paying attention to the many things you have in your life to be thankful for. Starting from the moment you awake in the morning or last thing at night before your head hits the pillow like me, write down what's coming up for you.

If this seems a little tricky to get started, go with the simple things.

Show gratitude to people who love us
Express gratitude in person
Show gratitude for ourselves
Express gratitude to the people who serve us
Show gratitude to people who challenge us
Express our gratitude in a note book
Show gratitude to people we work with

Science tells us that grateful people are typically happier people. Being grateful makes us more optimistic and reduces negativity, a huge reason to make acts of gratitude a daily habit.

Think about what you’re grateful for at least once a day.

A few months back I bought myself a gratitude journal and each night before lights out, I reflect to on the day to find 3 things I'm grateful for that day to write about...I love this practice.

If you haven't experienced a surge of that warm and fuzzy feeling of gratitude, start by giving gratitude first - give to get.