Gratitude 101: Part 2 {A link up}

I can't believe it's already week two of Erika's Gratitude 101 link up! I had such a great time being a part of it last week, and I am looking forward to reading what everyone has to say this week.

Last week, I focused on being positive and counting our blessings, but this week I wanted to talk about how we can do that. We all know we need to be positive and think of what we have verses what we don't have, but sometimes saying it is a lot easier than actually doing it! 

{via} 

I really like this proverb because it's completely true. I don't know anyone who starts something new and is automatically perfect at it. When we are trying a new skill, or job, or sport, etc. we have to practice to get good, and continually work at improving ourselves. The same goes for working on being positive and remembering what is good in our lives. We have to wake up for the day and consciously tell ourselves to be positive. And for me this is hard. I don't usually wake up bursting with positivity and thinking of all the amazing things that are in my life. 

My mornings are usually... ugh I can't believe I have to wake up... ugh I can't believe I have to work... ugh I can't believe my husband is making so much noise... etc, etc. 

What we have to do is work a little at a time. Be positive about one thing, then two, then three, and then soon being positive will be natural to us. 

Soon our mornings could be... I am so glad I didn't sleep through my alarm... I am thankful that my husband and I have jobs and can support ourselves, I am thankful I have a husband who can stand all my crazy... etc, etc. 

Gratitude and Positivity go hand in hand. One cannot exist without the other, so it's important that we get this right. 

We are not perfect. We are going to have bad days. Sometimes big bad things are going to happen to us, but if we have a foundation in positivity- we can find things to be grateful for. 

Here are a few of my tips for starting to be more positive: 

1. Write one thing down a day that is positive about your life {This could be big or small.} 

2. Watch other people and see if you can spot anything positive with them. 

3. Get outside. {Sometimes I am at my most negative when I've been by myself all day.}

4. Keep Perspective- try to think of the bigger picture. 

5. Do Service- nothing will get you out of your funk than doing something for others. {Again this can be big or small.} 

6. Write a note to a family member or friend- I find that if I am doing something for a loved one, I start to feel better knowing I have these people in my life. 

Now, I don't do all of these everyday, but I do try to work on a few at a time. When I am having a bad day, I start a running list of all the great things in my life. 

"Little by little, a little becomes a lot." 

If we make an effort, I know we can all improve our quality of positivity. It's just going to take a bit of practice. 

What are your thoughts on this topic? How do you stay positive? 

Many thanks to Erika for this weekly link-up. 

And in closing here this week's Gratitude Moments: 

I am grateful for Skype. I am so happy that I get to not only talk with my family, but see their wonderful faces. 

I am grateful for my teaching license. It is really coming in handy as a start this new adventure teaching English. 

I am grateful for Korea's bus system. It seriously makes going to work so easy!