Sometimes the worries of daily life can get you down. When this happens, take a moment and count your many blessings. It will lift your spirits, discouragement and doubt will fly away, and you’ll see how truly blessed you are.
BE GRATEFUL FOR THE GOOD YOU HAVE RIGHT NOW
A woman disheartened by a lack of finances, told a friend that she felt terribly poor. The friend, wanting to comfort the woman and raise her spirits, asked her what good she had in her life right now. Did she have a roof over her head, clothes to wear, food for dinner that night, a bed to sleep in, a dollar in her purse, and the love of friends and family? The woman replied that she had all of this. “Then”, said the friend with great tenderness, “count your many blessings. Be grateful for what you have right now. You’re not poor. You’re actually rich!”
LOOK FOR THE GOOD IN EVERY DAY
Each bedtime, the mother of a primary school boy sits and talks with him about his day at school. She asks him what good things have happened and what he’s grateful for. Sometimes he tells her about helping a schoolmate, receiving a kind act from a playground friend, being able to answer well in a quiz, or successfully participating in a class exercise. This happy ‘gratitude time’ focuses on good, such as the spiritual qualities of sharing, caring and thoughtfulness that are present in him and others, as well his schoolwork achievements.
4 TIPS TO HELP YOU COUNT YOUR MANY BLESSINGS
- Make time to count your many blessings. Don’t skip through them. Name them one by one. Do this frequently. You may be surprised to find that you’re actually doing well.
- Create a gratitude journal. List your joys instead of woes and your gains instead of losses. The question is, “Are we really grateful for the good already received? Then we shall avail ourselves of the blessings we have, and thus be fitted to receive more.” Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health p.3
- Don’t allow yourself to be troubled by conflict great or small. Count your acts of courage instead of fears, your friends instead of foes. Blessings bring comfort and peace.
- Note each occasion that your need is met. Divine Love has, and always will, “open the windows of heaven and pour out on you in abundance all kinds of good things.” Bible, Malachi 3:10. So go ahead. Count your many blessings. It’s good for your health.
About the expert
Beverly Goldsmith writes on the connection between spirituality and health and is a practitioner and teacher of Christian Science healing.