Love and gratitude are closely related emotions, and both are extremely effective in improving our physical and mental health in a multitude of ways. For some reason we tend to focus on what we feel is lacking in our lives or what we don’t like. Turn this day into one where you notice all that is right and declare your love for all of the things that you encounter.
Life will happen no matter what your perspective of it is. You can feel pleasant and appreciative inside, or you can feel bitter and persecuted. You own your thoughts, and by learning to focus on feeling love you can change your internal chemistry and feel much better about the world around you.
Action – We expect to have certain conveniences in our lives, and we don’t think about them until they are gone. There is a lot that needs to happen a certain way for us to enjoy the quality of life that we currently have. Look around and see with clear eyes all of the gadgets and devices that make your life flow better than it would If they weren’t there. Love all of those things and appreciate what you have.
Steps – From the moment you wake up, begin your day with thoughts of love. Love your bed, the air you breathe, the morning sun, the food you eat, and the activities that you perform. Love the people who are around you, the job you go to, the money you have to buy things you need. Love it all. Even if it isn’t the way you want it to be, love it for what it is. It is far more than many people have and if it were taken away from you, life would be much different.
Why It Makes You Feel Better – Love is such a pure emotion. If you have ever fallen in love with another person, think back to how that made you feel. The initial stages of a relationship trigger the release of feel-good hormones in the body that are very pleasant. Levels of dopamine and norepinephrine increase which give you that giddy feeling. Imagine feeling that way every day as you express love and appreciation instead of remorse or regret or envy.
The heart gives off electrical activity that can be measured with electrodes and translated into waves to detect health or abnormalities. The same way that we can feel a shock from static electricity when we touch a metal surface in the winter, this electricity of the heart can influence how others feel when they are around you. You literally broadcast your emotions through the waves of electricity that flow from the heart.
These waves can affect the kinds of experiences you draw into your life. Broadcast the waves of love, and see how it changes the way the environment responds to you. You won’t believe how this works until you try it.
Example – Being thankful is a form of love and possibly an easier way for those who aren’t used to being positive to ease their way into this new way of thinking. If you can’t say that you love something, then say that you appreciate it or are grateful for it. Express these thoughts freely and begin to focus on what you want instead of what you don’t want.
Love the life you have and dwell in the peace of mind this brings you. Your body will be grateful for the flood of positive hormones and you can begin to enjoy life in a way you never thought possible.