“Attitude is everything.”

“Everything happens for a reason.”

Everyone has heard these phrases, and many have probably used them a time or two. But if you’re in the midst of a meltdown, stuck in a rut, or letting life, busyness, and stress overtake you how on earth can you have a positive attitude? Simple! Begin with two words: “Thank You!”

By being thankful for your life now, as it is today (craziness and all), you open the door to abundance. We can definitely learn from each experience, and figure out the purpose it serves in our lives. 

Everything happens for a reason, right? If we make that phrase more than just words, we can improve every area of our lives. Attitude affects our relationships at home with our children, our partners, our families, at work with our employers, our colleagues, our clients and with the world in general.

I know it can be hard to change the way we think about things, especially if we’re going through a rough patch. Keep these 3 tips in mind to discover the power of appreciation:

1. Gratitude is in the Attitude
Maybe you are thinking you have nothing to be thankful for, so why bother? Or, maybe you aren’t thinking about gratitude at all? This way of thinking is limiting, and positive change can’t happen in a negative, closed mind. Gratitude will change your life for the better. Start with the obvious, but then get creative and have fun with your gratitude! For example, you can be thankful that you had a second to brush your teeth, or that you had time to have a cup of coffee. Begin by writing 3 things a day, and soon increase to 5, 10, even 20 things. I’ve had clients reach up to 100 things a day to be thankful for, even in the midst of a “crisis.” By recognizing every detail, we can begin to appreciate more, and if we focus on being thankful, we’ll get much to be thankful for in return! 

It’s amazing to see how this simple exercise will completely change your attitude towards life. A positive attitude leads to positive thinking. And this is the key to attracting greatness.

2. Put the Gavel Down -- Judge Nothing
We are our own worst critics. If you spend time judging your life or your situations, you miss opportunities for growth and gratitude. So, things don’t always go as planned. That’s OK. Remember, balance is bunk! If you judge yourself or put pressure on yourself to have a “perfect” life, or be the “perfect” parent, the “perfect” partner, the “perfect” person, you will go out of your mind! People love us for being uniquely who we are. Believing in ourselves is a huge factor for success and gratitude. You can set your own terms, and define your own “perfection.” If we feel less than whole, we can’t possibly create the life we want. We live up to the image we hold of ourselves. We are all complete, capable, whole, resourceful, and perfect now.

So, raise your head high, and you’ll feel fabulous. Remember, we have everything we need to envision and attract abundance, so let’s be thankful for it! Trust that there is something to be appreciative of in every event, and learn from it.

3. Be the Inspiration
A thankful individual inspires people. When we meet someone who is authentic and grateful, we are motivated to give thanks, too. It's amazing, I've worked with thousands of women, and ALL have incredible stories, passions, visions, accomplishments, but many don't realize it, and some have a very low opinion of themselves. I truly believe EVERY ONE OF US is an inspiration, and if we realize that, we will have the confidence to move forward with ANYTHING! 

So, be the inspiration, be positive and thankful. You may not ever know the effect you’ve had, but the world knows. And we get back what we give to the world!

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Jennifer Tuma-Young is an author, coach, entrepreneur, speaker, wife and mother. She began a career in wellness nine years ago, but knew she had to make major self-transformations before truly pursuing her passion for working with others.
Since that time, Jennifer has lost over 125 pounds, overcame the threat of type II diabetes, and is a much healthier person inside and out. In addition to being featured on Capessa and becoming a Capessa blogger, Jennifer's also the founder of Find Balance In You and created the interactive DVD Diets Don't Work.