The Magic Potion for Happiness - FREE and GUARANTEED TO WORK!

Toward the end of my active addiction and in the beginning of my recovery, I was so desperate to find happiness that I would have probably spent anything I could on a magic potion that could guarantee happiness.  After 10 years of personal torture, my mind was so screwed up that I actually believed the infomercials for magic potions and in thoughts of Neverland.  Just when I was about to give up, I was introduced to something that was life changing and I would like to share it with you so that it may have the same affect on your life, no matter where you are in it.

After losing everything to addiction, including my dignity and sense of pride, the ability to find gratitude in my life was something I thought was a cynical joke. When my recovery mentor suggested I started this simple exercise, I laughed in his face.  But, he promised me I would see a difference and he never steered me wrong with anything else, so I gave it a shot.  The exercise was simple: Get a notebook, put it next to my bed, and each night before I went to sleep I had to list FIVE things I was grateful for.  Some nights I wrote because my hair was still black, but others it was being grateful that I am one of the lucky ones that made it back from the dance with death.  After some time, the difference in my thought pattern was profound.  I was beginning to know the value of my heart, my close relationships, the oxygen that filled my nostrils, the water that allows me to take a hot shower, and the beautiful hummingbird outside my window.  The realization was that betwixt the occasional lack of money, stressful work weeks, and everything else life delivers, I am veritably rich beyond words.  Enough about me....let's get you started!

A few of you are going to say you simply have no time to do such a thing.  Just make it a daily priority.  Things will ALWAYS show up.  Be grateful for the energy to do all that you do!  I guarantee that when you have an appreciation for whatever life brings, you WILL see change your life.  When you spend time and energy being grateful for what you do have, there isn't any time left to think about what you do not have and the world will belong to you!  Just a few weeks ago, a client shared her "AHA moment." She realized her life wasn't really lacking a thing - despite the fact she had 32 cents in her bank account and her husband was in Iraq. She appreciated what she DID have.

This exercise is also something couples can do together.  I have clients that make the list with their husband/wife/partner, sending emails and texts to each other during the day.  It has worked wonders in their relationships. 

WHAT TO DO:

• Commit - You will always find a reason not to do this.  It seems much easier to complain about life!  Get the notebook, put it near the bed, and begin to look for what is right, not wrong.
• Begin - All you have to write is the beginning - "I am grateful for..."  It may take a sec or the words may flow.  It's about getting your mind to percolate differently.
• Jot it down - There may be times when a thought peaks into your minds during the day.  Jot it down and add it to your list and the end of the day.  It's a great way to defeat the traffic blues!
• No stops on this ride! - Once you begin to see a difference (and you will), such as catching yourself during the day being thankful for the smallest things - DO NOT STOP your routine.  It's the process of doing this that has enabled you to get to the point you are.  Ending the routine risks losing the little things.

Doing this on a regular basis has the power to improve your mood, increase your level of happiness, make your life less stressful, and give a better satisfaction to your life.  I have seen amazing results.  It is human nature to look at what is wrong, how we lack this and that, or compare ourselves to someone or something else.  But, if you give yourself a daily chance to see and feel the little blessings you do have, hope is created and that trumps anything else going on.  For those who think they have nothing to be grateful for - try this exercise: Each day, imagine losing one thing you take for granted, such as the ability to walk, see, or hear, your home, your car, a loved one.  Think of life without what you thought of. 

One last thing - BE CREATIVE!  For example, one day think of a person that is close to you and ask yourself three questions.  First, consider anything they have given you.  Then consider what you have given them.  Finally, consider what trouble you may have caused them.  You may owe others more than you think.  It's creative leaps such as this that have the ability to set off events of change in yourself.

I welcome your comments and would love to hear your future results.  Good luck!