Grateful for the Little Things

My husband is a very kind person. As I try to live an Aware Life, I remember to pay attention to the "little" things he does. For instance, he always makes sure I have a jacket in my trunk during winter. He helps me carry my belongings to the car when I leave for work. He always holds the door for me. I could take these little niceties for granted, but I won't. For all of these things and more, I am grateful.

What you focus on gets bigger. You'll see more of what you pay attention to. If you notice what others do and tell them you appreciate it, expect to see more of that behavior. If you are praised for something you did, you probably want to do more of it, so why wouldn't others? People need appreciation. People need to feel validated.

Knowing this, what can you do to show appreciation for the small kindnesses that are shown to you daily? First of all, if you're only looking for things to go wrong, shift your focus! Pay attention to the little things. Catch others doing right! By the way, this works on your children and your partner!

Michelle E. Vásquez, LPC
Relationship Specialist
Licensed Professional Counselor
I help people build strong, healthy relationships
210-663-9462
www.michellevasquez.com
http://languageofrelating.blogspot.com
http://powerofgratitude.blogspot.com
http://awaresingle.blogspot.com

What is your biggest question about your relationship? Send me an email and I will answer it for free!

Sign up to receive my newsletter Relationship Success along with announcements about upcoming workshops and teleseminars at:
http://www.michellevasquez.com/page10.html

Icy Weather Gratitude

Today in San Antonio, Texas, it is 30 degrees. The roads are iced over and we have a light rain. My back porch has a sheet of ice on it. The city is shut down, with major highways and bridges all closed. The children have had two holidays, one yesterday for Martin Luther King's birthday, and now again today because of hazardous conditions. I realize that in the northern states, this would be mild weather, but because it's so uncommon here, we are not equipped to drive with ice on the road.

What am I grateful for today? I'm grateful for the slower pace that the icy weather provides. I'm enjoying my extra day at home. By mutual agreement, my clients and I decided to play it safe and reschedule for later in the week.

I'm grateful for the hot chocolate and chicken soup that I can drink and eat while I spend this day indoors, in my cosy sweatsuit. I'm grateful for the extra day to get paperwork and billing done. I'm grateful for extra time to spend with my husband while it's cold outside.

What are you grateful for today? What can you do today while it's cold outside that you can be grateful for?

Michelle E. Vásquez, LPC
Relationship Specialist
Licensed Professional Counselor
I help people build strong, healthy relationships
Got a burning question about your relationship? Email me at mevasquez55@aol.com and I'll answer it for free!
210-663-9462
www.michellevasquez.com
http://languageofrelating.blogspot.com
http://powerofgratitude.blogspot.com

Sign up to receive my newsletter Relationship Success along with announcements about upcoming workshops and teleseminars at:
http:www.michellevasquez.com/index.html

For a list of self-help books I recommend, go to: http://www.michellevasquez.com/page10.html

Grateful for Family

Today I am grateful for my husband's family. Maybe you have difficulties with your in-laws. Maybe you don't. I am grateful that my husband's family accepts me. I feel like part of his family and I feel welcome. I am glad to have this kind of connection.

I appreciate the health and happiness that a good connection with people I care about can bring. What about your family are you grateful for? If you look for it, you will find it. Remember, what you focus on becomes bigger. Look for the good and you will find it.

Wednesday's Gratitude

I am grateful for the people who have motivated me, even if they don't realize it, to complete some tasks that I've been wanting to do for years. I joke that someone gave me a book on how to stop procrastinating, but I never got around to reading it. Sad thing is, it's not a joke. It really happened. Twice.

Something clicked in me and I got serious. I'm grateful for a simple decision that I made on December 31 that allowed me to launch my newsletter. My husband said he had decided to "just do a little work" on one of his projects. That was a catalyst for me. I decided to simply start and "just do a little work" and once I got started I was able to finish.

I am grateful for the energy that simply starting generated. Now I'm flowing! I'm having a hard time turning off the ideas. I am so grateful.

Gratitude on January 1, 2007

I know it's after midnight, but since I haven't gone to bed yet I still think it's January 1. Today I am grateful for learning how to put a sign up for my new newsletter, "Relationship Success" on this blog and on my other blog http://languageofrelating.blogspot.com. I am excited about my ability to accomplish this task, since I don't consider myself very good at technical stuff.

I am grateful for spending a leisurely day at home and I'm grateful that my husband and I decided to take our usual evening walk. It was 54 degrees this evening and the air was still, so it was a nice night for a walk. I'm so excited about the new year. I hope you catch my enthusiasm. Maybe you can add your own to mine! Happy New Year! Michelle