Are You Kidding Me?

If you’re always grateful for the little things, it’s hard to avoid happiness. It’s a lack of gratitude that often keeps us feeling down.

Life has a lot of ups and a lot of downs. When the ups happen, I love them! When the downs happen, I for darn sure don't like them! Nope! I just don't like them.

I wonder if it's the downs in life that help me to appreciate the ups in life? Awe heck, I don't know. What I do know is life has a lot of ups and downs.

Sometimes the downs can be a bit difficult. Some of the challenging downs can be things like:

• Divorce

• Stress in the house

• Disease

• Death / loss of a friend or family member

• Financial challenges

• And numerous other downs

All of us are faced with the same reality...Life at times, dealing with the downs can be frustrating. There will inevitably be times when we have to deal with the frustrating downs of life.

So how can we take on the frustrating downs of life and be able to move forward in a positive, healthy way?

The key word here is "habits". Think about this: We have good habits but we also have bad habits. What would happen when the downs in life hit us smack in the face and all of a sudden we went to our good habits to smack back?

3 Habits That Help When Life Is Not So Good...

1. Positivity

I love the ups in life and I really don't like the downs. I'm thinking, and hoping this makes me normal. However, ups and downs are just part of life. Choose to just roll with life. Yes, even the downs. Now listen, choosing positive acceptance of both the ups and downs is not easy. Positivity is a habit. Scientist say it takes about 66 days to form a new habit. Start the habit now.

2. Gratitude

Speaking of habits, a GREAT habit I have gotten into is I start each day with a positive thought and a grateful heart. Serious, when I wake-up in the morning, before I even get out of bed, I say about 3 "Thank you's" for several things prior to checking my text messages, email, 6048 Sports, etc.

3. Action

I remember after I lost both of my parents. Man, talk about a downer in life. I'd come home from work and just plop down on the couch and just not do much. After doing this for a few weeks, I said to myself, "Self, you've got to get moving." Action. No, I did not go and join a health club. I'd come home from work, put on tennis shoes, shorts and a tee-shirt and I'd go for a walk and jog a bit. Wow! Just the simple act of a little bit of exercise and fresh air did wonders to help fight the "downs".

Your turn...

I've got a challenge for you. I was asked once, " Are you willing to spend a little time every day like most people won’t, so you can spend the better part of your life like most people can’t?" Take a bit of time to think about that question. Guess what? We ultimately become what we repeatedly do.  The challenge is can you begin the next 66 days by thinking about what you are grateful for? Give it a try and let me know how you are doing.