I went to a Gratitude Breakfast this morning and I feel the need to share with you the transformation how words can make change through GRATITUDE.

There is an enormous amount of negativity that exists in our culture.  87% of all news reported is negative.  Between 1990 and 1998 the murder rate in the USA dropped 20%, however, the news reporting of murders rose 600%! 

We live in a culture of fear generated by politicians, advocacy gorups, markters, the news media and others that are highly skilled in tapping into our primal fears.

In the business world, complaining is rampant.  Cynicism kills ideas, teamwork, possibilities, hope, and definitely appreciation. 

Blaming each other or anyone moves us away from claiming our responsibility for our lives and the power we have to make significant cahnges and move us forward.

"WHAT YOU 'ARE' SPEAKS SO LOUDLY, I CAN'T HEAR WHAT YOU ARE SAYING" - Ralph Waldo Emerson

I Timothy 4:4-5  "For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving; for it is the sanctified by the Word of God and Prayer. "

RECOGNIZE THAT YOUR WORD IS YOUR WAND, THE POWER OF WORDS!

"Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless" - Mother Teresa

Building a collection of affirmations and mantras.

1.  Everyday in everyway I open new doors of opportunity.

2.  I can, I will, it is.

3.  I have a wonderful business in a wonderful way.  I give wonderful service for wonderful pay.

4.  My inner world creates my outer world.

5.  My highest desires are manifesting now.

Hebrews 12:2 - "Let us fix our eyes upon Him"

"IF YOU WISH YOUR MERIT TO BE KNOWN, ACKNOWLEDGE THAT OF OTHER PEOPLE."

There is art, magic and power in acknowledging other people.

Ways to create Reactive Acknowledgement

1.  Thank you notes

2.  Recognition for a job well done.

3.  Compliments

Proactive Knowledgement is the art and magic and power we seek.  It is transformational in our relationships. 

BEGIN BY APPRECIATING YOURSELF.  All gratitude and appreciation fundamentally begin and end with our opinion and perception of ourselves.  However, we often seem to go about this backwards:  Trying to succeed, achieve and prove things to ourselves and ohters so that we feel deserving of appreciation, instead of appreciating ourselves to begin with.

Appreciating ourselves it NOT:  Arrogance, An ego trip, Being better then other people, Selfish, Bragging.

Appreciating ourselves IS: 

• Celebrating our success
• Speaking about ourselves in a positive way
• Accepting compliments with gratitude and ease
• Forgive ourselves for our mistakes
• Taking care of ourselves

HOW?

   ALL CRITICISM

ACCEPT YOURSELF AND THINGS EXACTLY AS THEY ARE

TRUST YOURSELF AND LIFE AND BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE SUPPORTED

and ASK God in His infinite wisdom to help and guide you. 

We we lead by example, others will follow.

 Ephesians 5:19-20  "Speak to one another in psalms, hymns and songs.  Sing and make music with your heart ...."