Similar to her previous books, Byrne looks into the concept of gratitude and the law of the Universe; 'like attracts like'. The more we show our gratitude the more we receive. I would have said I am a pretty grateful person. But on diving a few pages further, it dawns on me, I am quite the opposite. Rather than searching for the good in my day, I am guilty of complaining about my co-workers, how difficult a certain customer was, the lack of energy I have- it tends to be easier to moan and groan rather than stop to make a conscious effort to find a positive. Byrne explains that "Whatever you think and feel, you attract to you". Which makes perfect sense; since returning home from my travels all I have focused on is the car I don't have, my debt piling up, and worrying about what the infamous 'next step' is. Like a magnet, the thoughts I am sending out are being sent straight back to me, and so it becomes a viscous cycle of more debt, more worrying and no sign of a car any time soon.
This is something I have done on auto-pilot. I have let my responsibilities and worries get in the way of life and enjoying everything it has to offer. Even the little pleasures that can be found day to day. Like my favorite song on the radio when I wake up, the autumn leaves and the crisp air on my walk to work, the coffee on my desk that's always waiting for me courtesy of my colleague. Turns out its pretty easy to find things to be grateful for, even in what may appear to be a mundane Tuesday. Byrne herself admits before practicing gratitude daily, that she "wasn't living, but surviving from day to day, paycheck to paycheck". Sounds familiar. By making an effort to be thankful, we can find ourselves falling head over heels back in love with life. If we focus on truly being thankful for what we have, we will "feel light as a feather, and happier than we've ever felt before".
So how do I take this first step into re-building my happy, little life?
Step One By saying the magic words of course; 'Thankyou'. The truer the feeling, the more sincerely grateful we are, the faster life will change.
Step Two Get clear about what I really want. I am instructed to make a list in every area of my life (relationships, career, finances, health etc.)
Step Three Start my 28 day challenge. Challenge one is titled Count My Blessings. Make a list of ten blessings I am thankful for and why. Read the list aloud first thing in the morning, and continue to add 10 things for the next 28 days, repeating this routine.
Just putting pen to paper and reminding myself of all the things I would love to have and do has sparked a fire in me, a determination to achieve this wish list. From exploring South America, to buying a car and getting into good shape, to seeing my new favorite band the 1975's live, a rush of excitement has run through me whenever I read my list today.
Step three seemed a little tricky at first; I began with the usual cliche blessings that lacked any luster- "Thankyou for my Mum because she looks after me" etc. Top cringe. But after I truly began to think about how lucky I am to have the life I already do, my 10 bullet points filled up pretty fast. Reading my blessings back puts a smile on my face and I do genuinely feel a little glow. I have even set my alarm to 6am so I can hit the gym before work (Shifting 10 pounds is on my wish list you see). Already I am feeling more productive and proactive, and I am looking forward to tomorrow for this new, positive, happy lifestyle change.
Let my magical life begin... x
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