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Jonathan Robinson, Finding Happiness

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Category Archives: Gratitude

Four Simple Keys to Turn the Holidays into Heavenly Holy Days

Jonathan Robinson, Finding Happiness Posted on December 13, 2014 by Jonathan RobinsonJanuary 16, 2023

‘Twas the week before Christmas and in my own house I was frantic and hurrying, and felt like a louse. That was five years ago. That day I vowed I would never again get sucked into the hyped up of “Christmas Spirit.” Instead of running around, fighting traffic, and losing my temper with store clerks, I decided I would do whatever it takes to really enjoy the holidays. After all, it’s supposed to be a time of celebration and spiritual renewal. Why not make it into one? Of course, if you’re at all like I was, you’re going to have to change how you “do Christmas” if you ever hope to truly enjoy yourself. I’ve found that four simple keys can help people turn their hurried Holidays into heavenly Holy days.

imagesFirst, try to remember the original purpose of the Holiday Season. Whether you celebrate Christmas or Hanukah, they both represent a time to appreciate the blessings of life, God’s grace, and the end of darkness and the beginning of new light and hope. Can you remember a Christmas memory from your childhood that was filled with joy, comfort, and love? That’s really what we all want to experience during the Holidays. Yet, sometimes it seems we’re being led down a fast flowing river that only leads to stress, insecurity, and even sadness. By having a clear picture of what a truly happy Holiday Season would be like, you have a fighting chance to create what you want. Without your own unique Christmas “fantasy” to hold onto, you’re likely to be swept into the currents of what everybody around you is doing.

Once you have an idea of what you’d like to experience during the Holidays, your next step is to figure out creative ways to avoid what you don’t like about Christmas. For example, if you don’t enjoy running around buying a lot of presents, then don’t. Most people ask themselves the wrong question when it comes to planning their Christmas. Subconsciously, they think, “What should I do now that it’s the Holiday Season?” If you “should” all ask yourself, “What would I love to do to spread joy and good cheer this time of year?” Listen for your own unique answer to that question. By following your heart, you’ll feel the joy of Christmas, and enliven the Spirits of those you love.

zenA third way to keep the Spirit of the Holiday’s alive is to give a present to your self. I don’t mean another sweater or necktie. I mean something that will help you to experience the joy, peace, and sacredness of life. Last year, my wife and I spent three days in Yosemite in the middle of December. Leaving the craziness of city life for the grandeur of nature was the best present possible for both of us. This year we plan to go to a desert resort. As we sink into a jacuzzi bath while listening to Mozart, we’ll be sure to reminisce about the madness we left behind back home. What would be some treat you could give to your self that would add meaning, joy, and relaxation to your winter season? Schedule it in now, before you get too swept up in the Christmas rush.

Lastly, to have a truly Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukah, plan ahead for something that you’d truly like to do. If you’re not spending the Holidays with your family, call some friends and see if they’re available. Perhaps you can create a meal together, play a fun board game such as Pictionary or Monopoly, or simply have a meaningful conversation. A nice thing to do around a Christmas dinner is to ask your friends and family questions such as:

1) What’s your favorite Christmas (or Hanukah) memory?

2) What was one of the most special moments you experienced this past year?

3) What are you truly grateful for in your life right now?

4) What was the worst Christmas gift you ever received?

5) What gives you a real sense of joy in life?

Asking questions like these to those you love can help bring intimacy and a sense of the sacred back into the Holiday Season. Your fondest Christmas memories are probably not of presents you’ve been given, but of special times you’ve spent with people you cared about. Having a really good conversation with a friend or family member can be one of the best “gifts” you ever receive.

Although advertisements try to convince us otherwise, the Holiday Season is not a time of ease and joy for most of us. If you plan to have a good Christmas, you need to be deliberate about creating a sacred time with your self and/or the people you care about. By following your own heart, and keeping true to the original purpose of the Season, you can make this your best Holidays ever.

 

Posted in Gratitude, How to Find Happiness, Relaxing

Creating Balanced Goals

Jonathan Robinson, Finding Happiness Posted on April 24, 2014 by Jonathan RobinsonJanuary 16, 2023

Pebble stackSetting and achieving goals is perhaps the most documented technique for manifesting what you want—efficiently and effectively. Since writing your goals is so powerful, it’s important to know precisely what you want to create so you will be pleased when you get it. If you don’t specify your dreams clearly enough, you can end up creating a nightmare. Sometimes people who write down their goals do create a life that is out of harmony. Why?  Because their goals are all outward goals—such as making more money.   Yet, manifesting more money is of little good if it’s created at the cost of your time, relationships, and peace of mind.  Therefore, I think it’s best to create what I call “balanced goals.”  Balanced goals are goals that have both an internal and an external element to them. For example, if you want more money, it can be helpful to know why you want it. If you realize it’s to have more peace of mind, then why not make a goal to create more peace of mind in your life while you make more money?

To downloadcreate a balanced goal, you need to know two things. First, you need to know exactly what you’d like to manifest in the material world. Second, you want to identify what you hope to experience as a result of achieving your external goal. The easiest way to know what inner goal is appropriate for you, is to ask yourself the following question: “What feeling do I hope to experience as a result of achieving my external goal (such as more money, a house, etc.)?”   Once you know what feeling or experience you ultimately want to have, make having more of that experience the focus of your inner goal. Below is an example of how you might go through the four-step process for achieving an inner goal. To better illustrate this process, I’ll use my interaction with a client named Sarah as an example:

1:  Write down your inner goal. To know your inner goal, ask yourself: “What feeling do I hope to experience as a result of achieving my external goal?”  When I asked Sarah this question, she eventually realized she wanted more comfort and security.

2: Write down the criterion that the goal has been adequately achieved. In the case of inner goals, I suggest people create an “intuitive scale” to measure how they’re doing. Ask yourself, “On a 1 to 10 scale (10 representing the best possible), how much of my inner goal (in Sarah’s case, how much comfort and security) do I currently have in my life?”  When I asked Sarah this question, she said she was “about a 4.”  Then I asked her, “Where do you want to be on a 1 to 10 scale, and by when?”  She responded, “I’d like to be at a level 7 five months from today.”

3: Brainstorm steps you could take to help you move towards achieving what you  ultimately want. Ask other people how they might go about achieving a similar goal. The more ideas you come up with, the better.

4: Do the activities on your brainstorm list in a logical order until you’ve achieved the goal–or need to create a new plan.

Notice measuring-tape-sidewalkthat in the above example with Sarah, I had her create an internal way to measure her progress towards more security and comfort. You can always improve what you can measure. Although creating an “intuitive 1 to 10 scale” is not absolutely precise, I’ve found that people say it works surprisingly well in measuring their progress. All you need to do is rate, on an internal 1 to 10 scale, how you’re currently doing in the area you want to work on. Then, about once a week ask yourself, “How am I now doing (on a 1 to 10 scale)?”  Hopefully, you’ll see gradual improvement. If not, it may mean you need to do different tasks in order to be more successful.

For the best results, keep your goals on a sheet of paper that you can see every day. About once a week or so, read over your plan and see how you’re doing. See if you can schedule any more steps from your plan into the upcoming week.

By taking small actions each week on her internal and external goals, Sarah was able to achieve both her goals. In fact, she achieved her internal goal (creating more comfort and security) much faster than she expected. Sarah reported to me that her newfound comfort with herself assisted her on her job, which eventually led to the increase in pay she desired. When people create balanced goals, they often work in a synergistic manner that leads to extraordinary results.   As you set balanced goals, you’ll soon notice that your life feels more centered, balanced, and harmonious.  With the right method, it is possible to experience both wealth and peace.

Posted in Being Present, Goals, Gratitude, Inspire Me Today | Tagged experience, finding, goals, inspire, Jonathan Robinson, life, positive psychology

The Power of Deliberate Kindness

Jonathan Robinson, Finding Happiness Posted on April 10, 2014 by Jonathan RobinsonJanuary 16, 2023

Non-effective_listeningArmed with the secret information I am about to reveal to you, you will soon have incredible power in making friends and business contacts.  Since these human technologies are so powerful, I must first give you some warnings as to how to use them.  Please don’t use the ideas I’m about to divulge as a way to manipulate people.  If you do, people will eventually see through your charade.  Instead, consider these tools for connecting with people as a way to extend your good, caring intentions.  If you use these methods with good intentions, you and the people you connect with will be amply rewarded. Continue reading →

Posted in Gratitude, Inspire Me Today, Positive Psychology | Tagged charming, experience, finding, inspire, Jonathan Robinson, manage, positive psychology

The Joy of Peak Moments

Jonathan Robinson, Finding Happiness Posted on March 25, 2014 by Jonathan RobinsonJanuary 16, 2023

monks_roller_coasterWhy do people travel half way around the world to visit a place such as Disneyland, pay $125 to get in, and stand in line for an hour for a three minute ride?  Because, as human beings, we crave peak moments.  The desire for an intense, special, extraordinary experience is one of our deepest desires.  That’s one of the major reasons why we like sex, falling in love, winning a big game, and weddings.  Yet, peak moments need not be reserved for such major events.  You can learn to create them in daily life with people you care about.  Once you learn the skill of creating special times for other people, your relationships will never be the same.  People will want to know you, do business with you, and even marry you because you know how to create a sense of aliveness wherever you are. There are four key concepts that can help you create more peak moments with your friends, mate, co-workers, and family. Continue reading →

Posted in Being Present, Gratitude, Inspire Me Today, Jonathan Robinson, Key to Happiness, Positive Psychology | Tagged experience, finding, happiness, Joonathan Robinson, joy, positive psychology

How to Really Enjoy the Holiday Season

Jonathan Robinson, Finding Happiness Posted on December 10, 2013 by Jonathan RobinsonJanuary 16, 2023

christmas-‘It was the week before Christmas and in my own house I was frantic and hurrying, and felt like a louse. That was five years ago. That day I vowed I would never again get sucked into the hyped up of “Christmas Spirit.” Instead of running around, fighting traffic, and losing my temper with store clerks, I decided I would do whatever it takes to really enjoy the holidays.  After all, it’s supposed to be a time of celebration and spiritual renewal.  Why not make it into one?  Of course, if you’re at all like I was, you’re going to have to change how you “do Christmas” if you ever hope to truly enjoy yourself.  I’ve found that four simple keys can help people turn their hurried Holidays into heavenly Holy days.

First, try to remember the original purpose of the Holiday Season. Can you remember a Christmas memory from your childhood that was filled with joy, comfort, and love?  That’s really what we all want to experience during the Holidays.  Yet, sometimes it seems we’re being led down a fast flowing river that only leads to stress, insecurity, and even sadness.  By having a clear picture of what a truly happy Holiday Season would be like, you have a fighting chance to create what you want.

XthmasOnce you have an idea of what you’d like to experience during the Holidays, your next step is to figure out creative ways to avoid what you don’t like about Christmas.  For example, if you don’t enjoy running around buying a lot of presents, then don’t.  Most people ask themselves the wrong question when it comes to planning their Christmas.  Subconsciously, they think, “What should I do now that it’s the Holiday Season?”  If you “should” all over yourself, you’ll never enjoy Christmas.  Instead, it’s better to ask yourself, “What would I love to do to spread joy and good cheer this time of year?”  Listen to your own unique answer to that question.  By following your heart, you’ll feel the joy of
Christmas, and enliven the Spirits of those you love.

A third way to keep the Spirit of the Holiday’s alive is to give a present to yourself.  I don’t mean another sweater or necktie.  I mean something that will help you to experience the joy, peace, and sacredness of life.   Last year, my partner and I spent three days in Yosemite in the middle of December.  Leaving the craziness of city life for the grandeur of nature was the best present possible for both of us.  This year we plan to go to a desert resort.  As we sink into a Jacuzzi bath while listening to Mozart, we’ll be sure to reminisce about the madness we left behind back home.  What would be some treat you could give to yourself that would add meaning, joy, and relaxation to your winter season?  Schedule it in now, before you get too swept up in the Christmas rush.

Lastly, to have a truly Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukah

catsPlan ahead for something that you’d truly like to do.   If you’re not spending the Holidays with your family, call some friends and see if they’re available.  Perhaps you can create a meal together, play a fun board game such as Pictionary or Monopoly, or simply have a meaningful conversation.  In my book The Little Book of Big Questions, I offer readers over 200 questions that can spark lively conversations and help keep the Spirit of Christmas alive.

Perhaps around a Christmas dinner you can ask your friends and family questions such as:

  1. What’s your favorite Christmas (or Hanukah) memory?
  2. What was one of the most special moments you experienced this past year?
  3. What are you truly grateful for in your life right now?
  4. What was the worst Christmas gift you ever received?
  5. What gives you a real sense of joy in life?

Asking questions like these to those you love can help bring intimacy and a sense of the sacred back into the Holiday Season.  Your fondest Christmas memories are probably not of presents you’ve been given, but of the special times you’ve spent with people you cared about.  Having a really good conversation with a friend or family member can be one of the best “gifts” you ever receive.

Although advertisements try to convince us otherwise, the Holiday Season is not a time of ease and joy for most of us.  If you plan to have a good Christmas, you need to be deliberate about creating a sacred time with yourself and/or the people you care about.  By following your own heart, and keeping true to the original purpose of the Season, you can make this your best Holiday ever.

Posted in Gratitude, Gratitude List, Inspire Me Today | Tagged enjoy, experience, finding, happiness, holiday, inspire, Jonathan Robinson

How to Pray Without Ceasing

Jonathan Robinson, Finding Happiness Posted on November 26, 2013 by Jonathan RobinsonJanuary 16, 2023

heartWith Thanksgiving upon us, I thought it was a good idea to blog about giving thanks and the power of gratitude.  In my book The Experience of God, I asked each of the forty well-known spiritual leaders I interviewed about their favorite method of feeling closer to their Creator.  While the range of responses was surprising, the answer I heard more than any other was that of focusing on feeling grateful to God throughout the day.  As Ram Dass put it, “Gratitude opens your heart, and opening your heart is a wonderful and easy way for God to slip in.”

In Western culture, we often think of prayer as asking God for something.  Yet, in many spiritual traditions, prayer is primarily considered a way of thanking God for the blessings in one’s life.  Many years ago, I received an important lesson about “thankfulness prayer” from a Native American medicine man named Bear.   As a condition of being interviewed about his life, Bear requested we meet at a location sacred to his tribe.  Once there, he suggested that both of us begin by offering up a prayer to the Great Spirit.  My simple prayer was that our time together be well spent, and that it would serve our becoming closer to God.  The bear began his prayer in his native tongue, as I listened patiently.  After ten minutes of listening to the sounds of his tribal language, I began getting impatient.  After twenty minutes of listening to his prayer, I was secretly irritated. While I grew restless, Bear looked like he was soaring as high as the eagles that flew overhead. Finally, after fifty minutes, Bear finished speaking his words of prayer.

Trying to hide my sense of irritation, I began my interview by asking Bear, “What did you pray for?”  Bear’s calm reply was, “In my tribe, we don’t pray for anything.  We give thanks for all that the Great Spirit has given us.  In my prayers, I simply thanked Spirit for everything I can see around me.  I gave thanks to each and every tree I can see from here, each rock, each squirrel, the sun, the clouds, my legs, my arms, each bird that flew by, each breath I took, until I was finally in full alignment with the Great Spirit.”  It was clear to me that this man really knew how to pray.

thanksFrom Bear’s inspiration and the wisdom of many others

I’ve interviewed, I began trying this new method of prayer.  To make this form of prayer in my daily life, I began by simply saying, “Thank you God for (whatever is in my awareness).”  Sometimes I would “prime the pump” by first thanking God for things that are easy for me to feel grateful for.  For example, I might say, “Thank you for my health.  Thank you for such a beautiful day.  Thank you for my wonderful wife.”  Then, once I truly felt a sense of gratitude in my heart, I would use “thank you” as a “mantra” for whatever I was currently aware of.  For instance, if I was driving somewhere I might say, “Thank you for my car, thank you for my Iphone, thank you for this beautiful music, thank you for this nicely paved road, thank you for the man that just cut me off, thank you for the anger that he stirred up in me, thank you for the opportunity to practice forgiveness.”

The secret of this technique is to see all things as gifts given to us by God to enjoy or learn from.  Normally, we take virtually everything for granted, and rarely stop to appreciate the wonderful things we are given.  It can be eye opening to realize that even middle class folks of today live better than Kings lived just 100 years ago.  Yet, without the “thank you technique,” all the amenities of modern day life can go unappreciated.

ThankfulOnce you have used this method for awhile, you can even use it to begin to value things that are unpleasant.  In the example above, getting cut off by an aggressive driver was not my idea of a good time.  Yet, if I’m doing my “thank you” mantra, I’m more likely to see how such an event can serve me.  From a higher state of mind, I can see that this driver is helping me learn patience, compassion, and forgiveness—three things I’m not very good at.  Fortunately, there are many drivers and people who are willing to help me learn this lesson!  Thank you God for all that help.

Like any mantra or phrase that a person repeats, repeatedly saying “thank you” can build up a momentum of its own as you use it throughout the day.  However, it’s important that it doesn’t become a mechanical mental exercise.  With each thank you that is thought, it’s essential to feel a sense of appreciation in your heart for the gift you’ve been given.  Besides helping a person tune into an ecstatic feeling of gratitude, this method can also help a person become more aware and present in the eternal now.

 

Posted in Gratitude, Gratitude Journal, Gratitude List, Inspire Me Today, Jonathan Robinson | Tagged experience, finding, how to be happy, independence, inspire, Jonathan Robinson, joy, life, love, manage, prayer

How to Never Argue Again

Jonathan Robinson, Finding Happiness Posted on November 15, 2013 by Jonathan RobinsonJanuary 16, 2023

kids arguingAs a psychotherapist, I often counsel couples who frequently argue. Early in my career, I tried to help these people with communication techniques aimed at helping them be more open with each other. Yet, it rarely worked. They would simply forget the method and continue with their verbal attacks. When I realized couples behave like hurt infants when they get into a fight, I asked myself, “What helps crying infants to feel better?” The answer was obvious–they like to be held. As parents gently hold their baby, the baby soon feels better. Before you know it, the infant is giggling and happy. I wondered if a similar approach might work with adults. After much trial and error, I found something that works even better than I expected. I call it “The Spoon Tune.”

One of the great things about the Spoon Tune is how easy it is. When we are upset, we do not have the capacity to do anything complicated. Luckily, the Spoon Tune has just two simple steps to it. First, at the earliest sign of upset, lie down with your partner in “spooning” position. Spooning is the way in which many couples sleep. It consists of having one person’s front side hugging the other person’s backside. Couples can also “spoon” standing up if they are in a place where they cannot lie down, or there is no place to do so. Although holding your partner in this manner is hard to do when you are upset, direct yourself to do it. Sometimes I think to myself that I have a choice between spooning for four minutes and feeling fine or staying upset and ruining the rest of the day. When I clearly see that those are my two options, I begin spooning.

Next, spooningwhile in a spooning position, breathe in unison with your mate. Generally, it is best for the bigger partner to follow the breath of the smaller partner. When the smaller person inhales, the other partner should inhale. When the smaller partner exhales, the other should exhale. Hold each other and breathe in unison like this for at least four minutes. Do not say anything. As soon as your mind wanders, focus once again on breathing in unison with your partner.

No matter how upset you are

At the beginning of this simple exercise, you will find yourself quickly calming down. The combination of being in the spooning position and breathing together puts people back on the same wavelength. When you share energy in this way, it creates a feeling of safety and connection at a very deep level. Although your mind may be racing and storming, your bodies and souls cannot help but connect. By the end of a few minutes, you may not even remember what you were upset. At the very least, you will feel more connected and safe, and are much better able to work things out without hurting each other. Oftentimes, the “issue”, which seemed so big just minutes before, will have become totally unimportant.

lionsOnce you begin the Spoon Tune, no talking allowed. If possible, find a place to lie down together. If that is not possible “spoon” standing up. The key to doing this method successfully is to breathe together. As you breathe together, try to focus on and be present with each breath. Use your breath as a meditation. By focusing on your breath as it goes in and out in rhythm with your partner’s breath, you will feel more peaceful, safe, and connected, spoon for at least three minutes.

Once you are done spooning, you have a couple of options.  You can simply forget about whatever led to the upset and go about your business, or, if you feel it’s necessary, you can talk things over with your partner.  If you need to work something out, you will be in a much better frame of mind to do so.

You need not wait until you are upset to use the Spoon Tune. In fact, it is a great way to connect with your partner anytime. Many couples find it to be an easy and satisfying way to unwind after a stressful day. It can also be a very effective way to connect with your partner before making love. The hardest thing about this method is remembering to use it. Make an agreement that either you or your partner can ask for a “spooning” if you feel like your tempers are starting to get the best of you. Be on the lookout for times when you or your partner begin to get upset, or you both feel stressed. In order to use the Spoon Tune correctly the first time you get angry at each other, it is a good idea to try a practice run when you are not upset. Once you use it the first time and see how well it works, you will be hooked.

 

Posted in Anger, Being Present, Gratitude, Healthy Relationships, How to Be Happy, How to Find Happiness, Jonathan Robinson | Tagged experience, finding, happiness, how to be happy, Jonathan Robinson, partner, positive psychology

Let’s All Celebrate Anti-Independence Day

Jonathan Robinson, Finding Happiness Posted on July 4, 2013 by Jonathan RobinsonJanuary 16, 2023

 

fireWe’ve all celebrated Independence Day.  I say it’s time we graduate from that teenage like holiday and start celebrating Anti-Independence Day.  Perhaps we could call it Interdependence Day. The July 4th holiday and the American cult/culture it helped create celebrates our desire to be and do whatever we want.  That’s a good start.  Yet, that’s not the end of our journey, just like being a teenager is not the end point of a person’s maturity level.  The truth is that we live in an interdependent world, and if we hope to make the world a better place, we need to acknowledge that we’re all in this together.

Before becoming mature adults, teens need to first assert their independence.  But the goal for a teen is to not stop there.  A middle-aged person still partying and being reckless like a teen is not a pretty sight.  But isn’t that what we’re doing?  The U.S.A. has been around for well over 200 years, yet we’re still proclaiming we’re the greatest and we don’t need anyone else.   Immigrants? We don’t need them.   The poor?  Let them fend for themselves.

Like a cancer that grows at the expense of the body that supports it, too much of a focus on “me” and my wants can be bad for the human body—or the human race.  In an age when even our phones and tablets start with the pronoun “I,” what we need is a little more “we.”

On a practical level, what would this look like?  It might look like people deciding to forego more hours at work for more time with their family– or volunteering at a soup kitchen.  It might look like being kinder to your neighbor or your co-worker.  After all, if we truly are interdependent, then what goes around comes around.

As a happiness “expert”

I find it interesting that the number one way to quickly boost one’s happiness involves asking yourself a simple question.  The question is, “What act of kindness can I do for a stranger or a friend today?”   Since we truly are all connected, when we acknowledge that fact by an act of kindness, we actually feel happier.

So I propose we celebrate Interdependence Day. We could make it on July 5th—right after Independence Day.  Just as High School follows Middle School, Interdependence Day would represent a graduation from the mindset that we once needed to survive, but are starting to outgrow.  On Interdependence Day, instead of shooting off fireworks, we could practice acts of kindness.  By doing that, we’d feel better, our beneficiaries would feel better, and we’d be making a statement that we are indeed all connected.

Posted in Gratitude, Independence, Jonathan Robinson | Tagged experience, happiness, independence, inspire, Jonathan Robinson, joy

How to Stop Worrying About Money

Jonathan Robinson, Finding Happiness Posted on March 7, 2013 by Jonathan RobinsonJanuary 16, 2023

Man worrying about moneyWith the tough economy and tax season upon us, a lot of people want to know how to stop worrying. People worry about a lot of things, but foremost amongst them is money. If the money you currently have could assume a human form and talk to you, what might it say? If you’re like most people, it would probably say something like this: “You never appreciate me. All you ever do is complain about how I’m never enough. You need to stop worrying about how I might let you down in the future, or might leave you. I don’t feel like you trust me at all. And after all I do for you! I’m always getting things for you, protecting you, entertaining you, and making your life easier–but do I ever get a heart-felt thank you? Nooooo!” … If we treated our mate the way we “relate” to money, he or she wouldn’t want to hang around us!

In order to learn how to stop worrying about money, it can be helpful to focus in a new direction from how we’ve been conditioned. Normally we’re always looking for more money as an antidote to the feeling that we don’t have enough. Yet, this constant seeking for more usually just leads to wanting even more—no matter how much we have. Fortunately, there is an antidote that can help us to stop worrying so much. The antidote to the “not enough disease” can be summed up in a single word—gratitude.

boy feeling gratefulThe ability to feel thankful for what we have right now is perhaps the greatest key for helping us learn how to stop worrying. By feeling grateful for the things in your life, a whole new energy and experience is created. People often pursue money for years just so they can have a few moments of feeling satisfied. Yet, the practice of gratitude can make us feel rich faster than any “get-rich-quick” scheme ever invented. After all, if you feel thankful for what you have, you’re immediately rich! But if you have millions and don’t appreciate it, then you’re eternally poor.

Perhaps you’re thinking it would be easy to feel grateful if you only had some more money. If only, if only – the curse of the modern mind. If you own a car, you are automatically in the top 7 percent of wealth in the world. If you don’t feel grateful for being in the top 7 percent of wealth, We live better than kinds didbeing in the top 2 percent won’t make much difference. The truth is that you and I live better today than kings lived just one hundred years ago! We’re blessed with inexpensive ways to enjoy music, read books, be entertained, talk to people on the phone, and even travel to distant lands. There’s a lot we can feel grateful for – if we don’t fall into the pothole of “if only” thinking.

I’ve learned that the discipline of gratitude begins by appreciating whatever you currently have – even if part of you doesn’t like it. In my own battle with the “not enough” trap, I learned some tools that immediately helped me convert my feelings of scarcity to feelings of abundance and thankfulness. One effective method is to simply ask yourself the question, “What could I feel grateful for?” This question is a great way to help any person learn how to stop worrying so much. When I began this practice, I came up with just intellectual answers. Yet over time, I’ve been able to tune into the actual feeling of deep gratitude for the many wonderful things in my life. Gratitude is like a muscle that needs to be exercised. The more I’ve focused on this question, the easier it has been to feel truly grateful, and less caught up in the trap of “if-only” thinking.

You may have already listened to the 3 free audio segments from my course “Deeper Happiness” (if not, you can get the audios for free here). The second of these audios offers another “tool” for helping to tap into gratitude during daily life. I won’t go into all of the details here, but many people report that this deceptively simple tool can have a dramatic effect on their level of gratitude. And remember, the more gratitude you feel, the more you have found the quickest cure for how to stop worrying.

Having a Plan B reduces worryA second way to stop worrying about money is to have a written Plan B. A Plan B is simply a blueprint of what you could do if you ever experienced money troubles. When I wrote down my Plan B, I realized I had over a dozen things I could do to bail me out of financial difficulties. Seeing these ideas on paper helped me to feel assured that, if bad times ever came, I could handle it. After all, I already had a plan. Worrying about money is a non-productive waste of energy. By feeling grateful for what you already have and having a back-up plan in case of difficulties, you can learn how to stop worrying about your finances. If you can do that, you’ll feel more relaxed, peaceful, and happy.

Posted in Gratitude, Overcoming Anxiety

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