How often do you count your blessings?

You know what I myself are afraid about my misfortune because we dont know what will gonna happen to us... What I am doing I always pray at night and at the moment I wake up or open my eyes. That God may protect me from harm and I thank him for the blessings that I have receive... I also pray not only for myself but to others especially to less fortunate ones...

I cannot say that I systematically count my blessings in intellectual 'remind myself" way. My approach is something I leaned in various spiritual studies and meditation classes. The idea is to stay present, to notice on a daily basis the people, events, changes in consciousness, pets, special and unexpected 'gifts' that nourish the spirit. Practicing a 'walking meditation' helps to keep attention in the 'now-ness' of our moment by moment experiences. By mindful attention to the present and the good within it life feels more grounded...and expansive. Now admittedly, it can be challenging because my 'thinker' keeps thoughts and ideas flowing and sometimes worry, fear and negativity does creep in. When that occurs and I find myself getting ready for a 'fricking/fracking' outpouring of pity party thoughts I know that it is time to sit down and create what I call my 'attitude of gratitude' list. It is similar to counting one's blessings...but it encompasses even the simpliest things...like the smile and heart to heart I shared with a stranger on the mall. Or generous words of appreciation from a fellow Mylotter...or when our 2 dogs and 5 cats surround my hubby and I with love when we settle in to watch a movie. During really challenging times I buy a scribbler and make sure I write down a minimum of 5 things I am grateful for and it really works for me. It has always reminded me that even in the most daunting of events there are still those less fortunate. Your example of the lady in the wheelchair is a good one...because no matter how bad we may think things are for us...there is always someone in more dire circumstances. Being able to celebrate the good in our lives changes our mindset. Thought plus emotion creates conviction..and conviction creates reality. After many years of fussing, fuming, worrying, living in the past or worrying about the future I made a decision to stop that insanity and live in the now because wherever the mind goes...the energy flows and I prefer to have my energy flowing along rivers of positivity than tidal waves of negativity. The only thing we have no choice about is making choices and we can choose to see and respond to things in whatever way we want. That sure is an awesome responsibility isn't it!LOL Anyhow, thanks for this great discussion godddessglamourpuss...I, like you appreciate discussions that cause me to pause...and think!

My nature is to worry first and then come to the realities and dust and get up.

I can honestly say that I do forget to count my blessings. Sometimes I feel bad to count my blessings when there are people who are less fortunate...like...what made me so worthy to have those blessings that they don't have. But I hope it means they have special blessings that I don't/cannnot see or count. I have not really had a sideways knock...I mean like serious knocking, so I don't know how I would be, but I hope I would pick myself up! I am a worrier sometimes but I also rely on faith in God.