Want what you have and you will always get what you want.

Want what you have and you will always get what you want.

'Ever learn an important lesson in life and then forget it? Yup, me too. This one though seems to have a safe home in the memorable part of my brain and pops itself out occasionally to reaffirm it's validity. It seems the less I want, the more free and happy I become. In fact, tossing out over half of my belongings over a year ago has lifted a ton of bricks from my soul that I didn't even know was there! Gratitude for the things we have increases our well-being because happiness is determined not by how much you have but by how much you enjoy what you have. It is a simple truth often forgotten but worth a daily reminder.

Every night before I go to sleep I count my blessings. They far outweigh the misfortunes, always will. Some choose to focus on what others have and see themselves as poor but I like to look at the things I have that others don't and think of myself as rich. This reminds me of one of my favorite quotes "You can complain that roses have thorns or be thankful that thorn bushes grow roses. " Perspective and mind-set IS everything. At the end of the day, 10 times as many good things happen than bad so why not spend ten times as much time ranting about the joys of life than the hardships?

To want what you have IS to get what you want. It just is. The small things such as a flickering candle, a pink sunset, a cozy blanket, a phone call with a friend, the sound of my son singing in the tub, a chilled glass of white wine...these are all little gifts that spark happiness in my heart. Sure they're no Pulitzer prize or Oscar but I don't want that. I'd rather relish the tiny delights that sneak into my life unexpectedly. Gratitude is so powerful. The more appreciation you express for the things you already have, the less you will want or need. It's that simple.