As we think about another year completed it’s easy to get sucked into thought clouds of disappointments and resignations over repeated failures, missed goals and all the bad stuff you read about. But something happened a few days ago that made me realize that our lives are not just about becoming, achieving and striving, but perhaps more about appreciating life and all that it brings.

Slipped on a rock

What happened was a guy I know lost his son on boxing day. Thirty-three, newly married in the prime of life; slipped on a rock and fell into a churning sea that didn’t return him. He went suddenly and tragically and for his mom, dad and wife so did Christmas. They may never spend another Christmas without sad thoughts of his loss.

It made me think about how swiftly life can change and how quickly everything you know could go away. It reminded me to seek out all the things in my life that I could be grateful for.

Be grateful in 2016

For 2016 I’m shifting my gaze from my desires to my appreciations. I’m going to not stretch so much towards what I don’t have and practice instead embracing all that is good within my reach.

There is so much to be grateful for and I’d like to experience more of the magic that happens when you exchange yearning for gratitude. It opens a space for more stuff to appreciate in the future.

At least that’s what Deepak, Tolle and Dyer et al say.

And I believe. Something happens to you when you practice thankfulness. You become a lot less judgmental, open, light and empathetic. You tend to attract more good things and people into your life.

That’s probably because people are just more inclined to work with, make offers to, and invite into their homes people predisposed towards appreciation versus desire.

My 2016 wish

For 2016 instead of making resolutions and choosing goals why not try something different? Make 2016 your year for appreciating all the good that’s in your life. Let 2016 be the year you give thanks for everything that unfolds before you including all off the pain and disappoints.

Let go of all the goals and dreams for one year and instead just seek out and give thanks for all that life has and is giving you.

You just might find that great and unexpected things start happening to you, exactly when you stop looking for them.

Why?

Don’t know. It just seems that life responds that way.

An easy practice

Every day do this: write down three things you’re grateful for, or three things that you’re glad happened today. Do that every day. Make a game of it with someone close to you; that way you’ll be reminded.

Don’t beat yourself up when you realize you’ve missed some days, just resume. Also take note of how you’re feeling and notice what starts happening in your life.

Check back with me or your gratitude buddy on Dec 31 2016 and report. I’ll bet you’ll be feeling great about 2016.