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Being thankful is a mindset and takes practice.  Have you ever met that person that has a positive comment after something bad happens to you? They may say something like “Oh, at least you didn’t get hurt” after a car accident, or “It could have been so much worse” after you fall and break your wrist, or how about “at least you still have your health” after experiencing a financial crisis. Admit it; sometimes you just want to slap that person, right?! When you feel crummy or irritated, you don’t really want Pollyanna sunshine to start breathing her happiness into your life.

There is something to be said for turning a misfortune into a thankful moment, but there is also a time to refrain from offering these tidbits to others. Having a thankful mindset goes in line with my blog post “our thoughts shape us”. Having a thankful mindset is healthy and you can do so without being irritating to others. Your healthy mindset of appreciating life’s blessings takes practice. Let’s take a look at what this looks like.

Your house payment is due at the same as your car payment and electric bill, and you need groceries.  You feel like it all hits your pocket book at once and you feel a bit overwhelmed.  You may practice your thankfulness differently than me, a christian woman, but you can tailor your thanks.  I would start by saying “Thank you, God, for a house to live in, I am thankful I am not out on the street or on a dirt floor”. “Thank you, that I have a car to drive to work and for errands”. “Thank you that I live in a Country where I have electricity”, and “Thank you that I still have food in my cupboards and refrigerator. I am blessed to live in a place of abundance  and can get to a grocery store so easily.”  This can change your mindset from festering on all the negativity and fear of how to solve your problems to realizing that you have so much more than you realize. It may also turn your mind to others, realizing that you can help others who aren’t as fortunate as you.

Try it out sometime; next time you have a mishap, see if you can turn it around.  Of course, this would be much tougher for those big life tragedies such as death.  I lost my Mom this past March.  I am thankful, however, that she lived to 89 years of age. My family and I were able to say goodbye.  We were able to be with my Mom and Dad and enjoy the comfort of family support. My sisters and I were able to help my Mom with her baths and changing, rather than have a stranger do it.  We were able to move my Dad to Georgia to be closer to myself and two of my sisters. We didn’t have to put my Mom (or Dad) in a nursing home.

Below is a list of some mishaps, misfortunes, and frustrations to turn around. See what you can come up with.

From losing your keys, to “thank you that I have a car, house, bike, etc…”

From skinning your knee after a fall, to “thank you that I have functioning legs.”

From being late to work due to a car accident to “I pray (hope) those people are okay, and thank you that I have a job”

From a flat tire, to “thank you that I wasn’t in a bad accident due to this.”

From an argument with your spouse/significant other, to “thank you that I have someone to share life with.”

From that frustrating meltdown of your child, to “thank you that I have children, there are some women that can’t have children.”

From losing your family pet, and the extreme sadness of it, to “thank you that I was able to have this animal in my life to provide me with so much joy.”

From seeing one more wrinkle pop up on your face, aging you further, to “thank you that I have lived this long of a life and have the laugh and frown lines to prove it.”

There are so many examples of people that have far more tragedies in their life than me, but they use it to inspire others. People who become paralyzed, yet go out and do inspiring public speaking. People who have lost their sight, but teach others how to use braille. Women who have never been able to have children, but start a therapy group to help other women deal with the pain. Women who have lost children, spouses, siblings, yet they inspire other women to live freely and voraciously.   What examples can you think of? What inspiration can you give to others, despite your tragedies, mishaps, or life challenges?  We all have inspiration to give. Pay it forward, pass it on, don’t miss an opportunity to encourage someone else. We all have battles and burdens.