If you were to sit down and list all the good things that are in your life right now, you’d probably run out of paper.

I know I would.

The difficulty is not in making the list. The difficulty is living the list.

We all enjoy multitudes of blessings in our lives. We all share in a universe of abundance. But we all live in a world where attainment is valued far more than appreciation. The same world that seems to value competition over contentment.

In our quest for attainment, often confused as a pursuit of happiness, we tend to forget one little thing:

We forget what really matters.

FOCUS In the course of a given day how often do you think about all the great things that you have in your life? Do you ever allow yourself even a few precious moments to reflect on all the love and joy that has been sent into your life? How much of your time is focused on what’s missing instead of what you already have?

Taking the things we cherish the most for granted is quite dangerous. We never think that the sunset we witnessed last night may have very well been the last one we’ll ever see. Tomorrow is not guaranteed.

One of the cornerstones of Living Half Full is appreciation and gratitude for all that you have been given. Here are three simple steps to refocus on all the good stuff in your life:

1. Make The List – Pen and paper in hand, find a quiet place and write down all the things in your life that you are grateful for. The people, your talents, your health…list everything. Block out as much time as possible. Frequently update the list as the inspiration requires.
2. Live The List – Tell all the people on your list how much you appreciate them. Don’t assume that they know, especially family members and friends. Even if they do know, telling someone how much they are appreciated is one of the highest forms of love and will make that relationship even stronger. You’ll both be better for it.
3. Micro-List – As part of your morning ritual, take a piece of paper or an index card and write down three to five things that you are grateful for today. Writing them is far more powerful than simply reading them. Carry the list with you throughout the day and review it often. This will keep you in a state of appreciation and gratitude, which will allow you to deal with the issues of the day from a higher conscious level.

Living Half Full means celebrating all that you are and all the goodness that surrounds you. Only from a foundation of gratitude and appreciation can you fulfill your promise of greatness.

Just three simple steps away.

Your greatness will make the world better!

It’s a great day to be you!