Gratitude

Gratitude, also known as expressing thankfulness, is of a very high positive vibration. I am so thankful that my parents taught me from a very young age to always say "thank you" to others for things they've given to me or done for me. When someone does something nice or helpful for you, expressing your gratitude to them validates them and their action. It sends out positive vibes to the receiving individual, which reinforces that good behavior. Gratitude and the Law of Attraction are strongly linked. What you send out into the world, you get back. I've heard the saying, "Gratitude has a long memory." It's so true, especially if you take a moment to think back to something that someone did for you in the past that really made a difference in your life and made you feel loved and great. The same goes for things YOU do for others, they will remember.

If you take a moment and just look around you, you can give thanks for so many things. If you're reading this, then you have your eyesight and you're able to read. Many people in this world are blind and can't read. Be grateful you can see and read. If you're reading this, you're likely using some sort of gadget like a cell phone or laptop. Many people in this world don't have these things. I could go on and on, but I'm sure you catch my drift. People have a tendency to always be wanting more more more and never feeling satiated, yet if those people would take some time and shift their focus to expressing gratitude for what they already have, it's the key to more happiness and contentment.

There have been times in my life where I would do a grand gesture for someone or give a friend a nice gift, and I'd actually feel a little let-down that the receiver didn't say thank you. It's good to give without expectation of something in return, but like I mentioned before, when someone expresses their gratitude it feels validating to the giver.

If you find yourself stressing over problems, try shifting your focus to counting your blessings and looking deeper into what the problems may be trying to teach you....could they be lessons or blessings in disguise? For example, I have a friend who is a lawyer. He had a cushy six-figure income and was suddenly laid off. Initially he was panic-stricken, but he was able to see that the job had actually gotten pretty awful, and being laid-off was actually a beneficial thing, because he was able to start up his own company and work for himself. He seems much happier now, can make his own schedule, and his new venture is already being successful!

Whenever life throws a wrench into your plans, try to calm yourself and react from a place of more inner peace. I am an advocate of prayer: It really helps the spirit feel better when times get trying. It's important to pray and ask for angels to help you with things. They ARE around and do listen and want to help! You just have to ask, because they don't want to interfere with your free-will choices. Praying aloud is stronger than just thinking your prayers because speaking is a stronger vibration than thinking, but both count and matter! So be careful what you think and wish for in both thought and speech, because you just might get it! Don't wish harm on others, pray for others instead. God says to love your enemies, which can be hard to do, but in the end it's your life, your emotions, and how you react that matter most. Gratitude, happiness, forgiveness, patience, love, gentleness, compassion....they all come from within you.

Namaste,

Mandelyn Reese

The LA Street Angel

2/24/2014