Gratitude is an important key to feeling good, being joyful, and manifesting what you want. By being thankful for who you are, what you are doing, and what you are becoming, you can focus your positive energy in a direction that is right for you. Each of us has an opportunity to feel good about life and to recognize the divinity within ourselves so that we can share it with the world.

One of the challenges you might face is recurring patterns of negativity in thought or behavior which are detrimental to your well-being. You may dwell on your worthlessness, your disabilities, your failures, or your shortcomings. Whatever it is you are thinking about, if you are not grateful for being the wonderful and unique representation of the Divine that you are, you will hamstring the very desires and wishes you cherish the most.

With a persistent and regular practice of being thankful, you will achieve and manifest the dreams, goals, desires, relationships, events, experiences, and people in your life that you most want. With this momentum, it will be even easier to overcome reoccurring negative patterns and to receive continuous actualization of your desires.

But how do you get out of a negative spot, particularly one that is especially challenging? First, stop whatever you are doing and look within. Find a quiet place or simply close your eyes (if possible) and let your “talking voice” be silent. Take a few minutes and seek the voice of your inner self, your direct connection to your soul. With this time of reflection and rest, you will be able to hear your voice of love and compassion. Second, be thankful for something that feels easy to appreciate. For us it is our cats – even if we are in a terrible mood, one of the cats will come up to us and our energy quickly changes as we automatically feel thankful for this lovely purring friend.

As you practice gratitude purposefully and deliberately, it will become more natural. It might take effort at first, but as you continue to express your gratitude, you move closer to feeling truly thankful. Once you’re able to fully feel your gratitude throughout your being, no matter the external situation, it will help bring your desires to manifestation.

With gratitude comes a sense of knowing. You know that what you want and desire can actually happen. You can be who you want to be and have what you want to have. Loving yourself and feeling gratitude for where you are can only lead you to where you want to go. Let gratitude be your guide.