Talane’s Blog of the Week, June 11, 2007

Attraction Principle #3
What you Focus on Expands.

One way to attract more of what you want in life is to be grateful for what you already have, even if it is not enough. We spend so much of our time and energy focusing on what we don’t have that we often neglect to appreciate what we do have. Instead of focusing on the one relationship you don’t have, focus and be grateful for all the wonderful friends and family you do have.

To remind yourself of all the wonderful things you have, at the end of each day take a few minutes to write down everything that you are grateful for in a diary or journal. It could be your health, a loving spouse, a beautiful sunrise or a cup of hot cocoa. No matter how rough a day, there is always something or someone to be grateful for – a partner to come home to who will listen to you, a dog that adores you, a warm bed to sleep in or just that you survived that day with your limbs intact.

Another way to do this is send at least one thank you note, card or email a day. Is there anyone you could thank? Writing down and sending our thanks for the good things people have done for us is a great way to attract more. People so like to be appreciated and thanked that they will try to find even more ways to help you.

What is the attraction principle here? What you focus on expands. If you focus on what you don’t have, you will attract even less. If you focus on what you do have, you will attract even more. If you are too needy or desperate, you will end up repelling the very thing you want to attract. When you are grateful for what you have, even when it is not enough, you’ll attract more of the good things in your life.

For months now, my six month old baby has been waking me up two to four times a night. We just can't seem to get her to sleep through the night. As a result, I feel like I'm staggering through life these days. And, to add further frustrations, my two and half year old isn't enjoying going to her nursery playschool. To help me out with the second issue, a dear friend of mine, Tracey, suggested that I find out if there is another child at the nursery whom Kaela likes and arrange a playdate outside of school to help them develop their friendship. Then, when it is time to go to school, I can remind her that her friend will be there. Tracey pointed out that having a friend to support you through a difficult time makes it easier, whether you are two years old or ninety. Words of wisdom. And sure enough, this has worked really well. Kaela had just one playdate with Lucy and today when I dropped her off, she didn't cry because Lucy was right there. Progress! An unexpected bonus for me is that Lucy's mother is great! I can see developing a friendship with her as well. Now, here is the gratitude part. I was bemoaning my lack of sleep only to discover that Lucy had a little brother that died at the age of one and a half months. How lucky I am that my little baby is alive and well enough to keep me up in the night. I've come to the conclusion that complaining (never attractive) can actually be in very bad taste. You never know how your complaint might sound to another person. Count your blessings.

Warmest,
Talane