Are you lucky? Fortunate? Blessed? Deserving? Entitled? Or did you simply work super hard for the life you have? How you choose to answer that question is your prerogative. I look around and I see a world filled with pain and suffering, hardship and loss, and disappointment and regret. However, I also see a very different world; one that is surrounded by nurturing and love, beauty and wonder, and happiness and hope. How we choose to look at things can make all the difference between becoming jaded and cynical, or optimistic and resilient.

The truth is, we see what we’re looking for. Are you looking for the positive things in your life or the negative? What you choose to focus on becomes your reality.

Next week when you are seated next to a loved one at the holiday dinner table or conversing with someone special either in-person or over the phone, I encourage you to take a moment to feel a deep sense of gratitude for all you have versus all you don’t. Remind yourself of all of the many blessings in your life, as small or big as they may be. Rather than focusing on what you wish you had, feeling grateful for all we have is both rewarding and empowering.

What are you thankful for? Choose to see and be grateful today and always.