Fighting Life

Sometimes I feel like life is kicking the crap out of me. It’s true, sometimes I feel helpless and defenseless against the stresses and difficulties life hurls my way.

I’m well aware that I have a wonderful life. I’ve got the world’s best wife, I have a loving family, and I live in the greatest country in the world. Yet sometimes I still seem to ignore my many blessings and focus only on the few problems that exist in my life.  Like most of you, I tend to get caught up in the world from time to time. I worry about the uncertainty of the future and totally ignore the gifts God has given me in the present. I know it’s not a healthy way to go through life yet I still manage to fall into the trap every now and again. It affects the way I feel, the way I think, and the way I treat others around me.

Negativity takes control.

So how do I combat these feelings and shift my mind back to a more positive place? I’ve found that my heart is the key to my mind. I have three ways you can tap into the joy that may be temporarily hiding in your heart, which will then change your mind and your outlook.

1. Buy someone something. Pay for a stranger’s coffee at Starbucks, buy a homeless person lunch, or pay for the groceries of the single mom behind you in line at the grocery store. It really doesn’t matter who you bless with such a small gesture, it’s amazing how the gratitude of others can be contagious.
2. Take inventory. When feeling most stressed, take a moment and rattle off as many blessings as you can think of to God. Thank Him for your car, your apartment, your family, your job, your health, anything. Life never seems to be as hard after taking inventory of the good things.
3. Tell someone you love them. The next time you’re stressed about bills or your job, call someone that’s important to you and tell them you love them. Tell them you appreciate all they’ve done for you. This act of praising others will open up a door of thankfulness in your heart.

Whether you’re having a great day or a crappy day, I dare you to do all three of the things I listed above.

Let me know how you feel afterward in the comments section below.  I might post some of your responses on my blog!

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