Most of us have trouble staying present.  We’re either upset or focused on things that have already happened or worried about things that might happen in the future.  Writing out our desires allows us to envision a future that is different than the future we fear might happen.  It grounds us in the fact that the future has not happened yet and that it could be as wonderful as the breadth of our imaginations.

Writing out what you’re grateful for takes you to the present and re-envisions your past.  When you feel grateful for what you have, you ground yourself in the present moment and acknowledge all of the good that you’ve received.  Your list of “gratefuls” can be big or small.  You may even find that you’re grateful for experiences that were otherwise difficult.

To get you started on your “gratefuls” list, here are some examples of the diversity of things you could include.

1) I am grateful for my apartment that is so bright and sunny.
2) I am grateful for my friend Lisa for being such a good friend to me throughout my life.
3) I am grateful for my history degree because it helps me understand the world.
4) I am grateful for my pretty new scarf.
5) I am grateful for being laid off because I know that it is advancing me towards my real career goals.
6) I am grateful for my laptop for being so reliable.
7) I am grateful for the delicious sushi I had for lunch.
8) I am grateful for the car accident I had when I was 17 because it made me the safe driver I am today.
9) I am grateful for all the health difficulties I’ve had because they’ve led me to my passion for holistic healing.
10) I am grateful for the money in my bank account.

As you can see, your “gratefuls” can be about anything and everything.  You can write them or say them aloud or even just think them. They are especially helpful when you find yourself feeling depressed about the past or anxious about the future.  Thinking of everything that you’re grateful for is the key to staying present and opening yourself up to more and more good stuff! 

Try it right now and see how it makes you feel.  Comment below and share with us!  I would love to see your gratitudes!

Now that you’ve grounded yourself in the present, prepare for a better future by reading the Word of the Week, hope.

Golda is a certified holistic health counselor and founder of Body Love Wellness. She counsels women and men throughout the country on how to get off the dieting roller coaster, give their bodies what they really crave, and love their bodies and themselves. Golda's counseling and activism work have been featured on CBS's The Early Show, ABC's Nightline and Time Out New York. For more support with healing your relationship with food and your body, sign up for the Body Love Wellness Newsletter and receive your free download — Golda’s Top Ten Tips For Divine Dining.