doug smith training

  Gratitude is a great way to start any day. Every day. I say it often because I do think that it's true: what we are grateful for we get to keep. What we take for granted slips away. Thanks for reading this, and for all that you do. -- doug smith

How grateful are you? Do you spend some time each day thinking about your gratitudes? It's part of my daily routine. It's usually the first part of my prayers and a silent background during meditation. So many blessings. So many things to be grateful for. It costs nothing to be thankful. And, while gratitude is free -- the payoff is fabulous.  What would your days feel like if you practiced gratitude every day? If you do, then you know, and that's why you keep doing it. If you haven't started yet, try it. I think you'll love it. -- doug smith

  We live in a difficult world, in difficult times. It's easy to focus on the negative. It's tempting to become discouraged. We can't solve every problem or fix every situation.  Still. There is so much good, so many blessings, so many things to be grateful for. Why not start there?  Take a deep breath while you contemplate something or someone you are grateful for. Pause and...repeat. -- doug smith

Some of the best and happiest people I know take some time every day to focus on what they are grateful for. Their lives aren't perfect and they don't expect them to be, but their lives ARE filled with wonderful blessings, gifts, moments of joy, and the pleasure of helping and being helped. Usually, that gratitude starts in the morning. I find that when I spend some time being grateful in the morning (it begins with prayer and returns during meditation) that I have more moments during the day that spring up spontaneously: joyful, unexpected moments of gratitude. With so much to be grateful for, I revel in enjoying each of those moments. How about you? Here's my gratitude suggestion for the day: Take a deep breath while you contemplate something or someone you are grateful for.  Pause and repeat. Isn't that nice? -- doug smith 

Appreciation for a smile leads to more smiles. Smile! -- doug smith