EXPRESS GRATITUDE FOR YOUR HOME
Dr. Richard Carlson
This is one of the easiest suggestions to implement in this entire book. Yet, it is so powerful that it’s worth doing—starting right now. Think about your home for a minute. Whether you live in a tiny apartment, a room in someone else’s house, or your own home, it’s yours to use. It’s your space. What in the world would you do without it? How would you survive?
It’s remarkable to reflect on how fortunate you are to have a home, a place to rest, a haven of potential peace. But when was the last time you slowed down enough to really look around? Notice the walls, the overall environment, the floors and windows. When was the last time you consciously expressed gratitude for your home? I’ve met many people who have never ever, taken this step of thanks.
Take a deep breath and express gratitude for your lovely home. Despite its imperfections, it’s yours. You live in your home. It protects you from the elements of hot and cold, and against everything from insects to strangers. It helps keep you alive and comfortable. Yet, for the most part, it is taken entirely for granted. Sure, sometimes we’ll say “Thank you” as a routine part of a prayer or ceremony. But what I’m suggesting here is quite different. I’m asking you to take a few moments every day, for the rest of your life, to quietly reflect on the joy of having a home—whatever it looks like and however hard you work to maintain it.
Taking part in the expression of gratitude does many things. It puts your attention on how lucky you are instead of all that needs to be done. It helps to keep things in perspective. When you are overwhelmed by the work involved in having a home, or by the cost or all that goes along with it, gratitude will help keep you pointed in the right direction. Gratitude is a very powerful emotion. It brings forth the best in you and helps you maintain your emotional bearings. It helps you to be happy.