Have an attitude to gratitude - it won't just help others, but also you!

To be absolutely honest with you, this week has been a tough one for the world. From the fear we are now all faced with about possibly having our lives threatened, to the growing problems with epidemics across the world, you be forgiven if you think that the world is suddenly a darker place.

The thing is though, darkness is all around us and has been since the dawn of time. We have always had things to fear and worry about. Whilst it's great to say that it'd be fantastic to live in a world where everyone got along and all was at peace, the fact is, it isn't.

So where do you turn to when darkness is surrounding you? Where do you go when it seems like everything is caving in or the world seems like it wants to destroy you?

Well for starters, make sure you talk to someone about this. We all have these moments and we're not alone, so it's important we share and support each other.

The other thing that is important to do is when things seem less than hopeful, is to take an attitude of gratitude.

If you're not sure what I'm talking about, then watch the video below as I think it's a great example of how being grateful can change a life.

As one of my favourite speakers Jonathan Doyle said in a podcast I was listening to this week- you have two choices to every situation- to either see the good or the bad.

Having an attitude to gratitude means that more often then not you'll pick the good. 

For example, if you have work/school/uni mates who you think are more talented or capable then you, rather than either getting jealous or feeling inadequate- if you had an attitude to gratitude, you'd be thankful for them being placed in your life and through that, use their talents to achieve your goals.

If you are feeling like you're being dealt a rough hand in a day, an attitude to gratitude will help you to think of the good things that have happened in the last day/week and you'll quickly see that this small moment is insignificant compared to the larger picture.

Now in saying all of this, there are going to be tough times- like when illness, death, heartbreak happen where it's going to be very hard to have an attitude to gratitude.

It's moments like these when we need to remember that we don't have to be happy, but we do need to be grateful. There's always things we can appreciate - even if that thing is just the support of friends and family or a favourite song, movie or food.

Some of the greatest people I've read about recently, from Church saints to saints of the world have suffered so much, but they all have, through an attitude to gratitude, been able to achieve greatness.

Gratitude doesn't just help others by making them feel worthwhile and therefore more willing to achieve their goals, it helps you to see the great wonders and joys that God has given in everyday of our lives.

So here's the challenge this weekend- start looking for something to be grateful for in your life everyday. It may be hard at first, but trust me, if you stick with it, it will change your life for the better.

Till next time...