3 Things to be Thankful for Today

Practicing gratitude is one of the best habits we can develop.  It not only changes our lives, but it affects others around us.  Our gratitude is like a positive energy that can inspire and energize others.  I knew a woman who always confessed that she had a black cloud that followed her wherever she went.  And guess what, it did!  That black cloud was her negativity and lack of gratitude. Although she had much to be thankful for and some good opportunities in her life, she always found something to grumble and complain about.  This woman was one of the most unhappy people I have ever known. The black cloud kept her in darkness, clouding her hopes, dimming her outlook, and constantly attracting more negativity and problems in her life.  This only reinforced her self-destructive attitude.

Negativity surrounds a person who cannot find the good or be thankful for even the simplest blessings.  Being thankful is a way of life. It is a way of thinking that affects how we feel and what we do.  To make it a part of our life, we must practice it.  A great way to do this is to think of at least 3 things every day that you can be thankful for.  At the end of the day, before going to sleep, think about all the things that were good and give thanks for them. Record them in a journal if you would like.  When I first started this years ago, it wasn't long before my list grew to many more than three things each day.  Before I knew it, I was feeling really positive.  I realized that there are simple little things we don't even give a second thought that are blessings to us.  I came across a beautiful quote that illustrates this perfectly:


I'm thankful for a pair of shoes that feel really good on my feet; I like my shoes.
I'm thankful for the birds; I feel like they're singing just for me when I get up in the morning... Saying, 'Good morning, John. You made it, John.'
I'm thankful for the sea breeze that feels so good right now, and the scent of jasmine when the sun starts going down.

I'm thankful...
Johnny Cash


Can you think of three things you are thankful for today?




In daily life we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy.
~Brother David Steindl-Rast






Copyright © 2011 Krystal Kuehn, New Day Family and Couples Counseling Center. All Rights Reserved.





Krystal Kuehn, MA, LPC, LLP, NCC is a psychotherapist, author, teacher & musician. She is the cofounder of New Day Counseling, a family marriage counseling center, BeHappy4Life.com, an award-winning, self-help and inspirational site where you can find hundreds of free resources, insights & words of inspiration to change your life, and Baby-Poems.com where you can find beautiful baby poems, baby quotes, cute sayings & baby videos that will touch your heart & increase your joy & gratitude for the children you love & enjoy! Krystal is also author of The 10 Keys to Happy and Loving Relationships and several other blogs: Words of Inspiration, Baby Poems blog & Be Your Best blog.





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7 Reasons to Set New Goals

One thing I absolutely love about a new year, or a new day for that matter, is that it gives us a fresh start to set new goals and implement new plans to pursue and achieve.  I have recently set some new goals that have been keeping me very busy, motivated, and excited.  One of my many goals began about three weeks ago.  I cut desserts out of my diet.  It started with a chocolate fast.  I was literally consuming at least one bar or 5 pieces of dark chocolate every day, and that is not including cookies, icecream and other desserts I love.  It wasn't until I went the doctor's for a sinus infection and got weighed in that I decided to set that new goal.  It was motivated by my surprise in learning that I had gained almost 10 pounds.  As long as I exercised I figured I could have my daily desserts.  I was wrong!  Anyways, I set the goal of losing the weight by cutting chocolate out of my diet.  I started with that and then added cookies and eventually all dessert.  To my surprise, I no longer crave sweets like I did before.  Still, I would love to have at least a little of my favorite dark chocolate.  But knowing myself and the chocoholic I am, it's just easier to abstain completely for now.  I still have a bag full of my favorite dark chocolate on the side of my desk just to tempt me.  Actually, it's a reminder that I can do without it if I must.

Weight loss has been just one of my goals.  I have set others as well and I am amazed at how motivated they keepn  me.  One thing I believe is that we must set goals for the things we love to do.  Personally, my musical goals keep me interested, challenged, and provide a lot of fun and enjoyment in my life.  I decided this year to devote a portion of my time to really enjoying and appreciating my artistic interests.  We all need a healthy balance of work and play.  I encourage everyone to add pleasurable activities and goals to their lives as much as possible. 

Setting new goals can be very exciting and rewarding.  I was recently thinking about the many reasons I am thankful for new goals. Goal setting has many benefits!  I came up with 7 reasons to set new goals. I am sure there are many more.  Please feel free to add to the list. 

1. Goals give us something to look forward to, anticipate, expect.
2. Goals require us to make plans that we can pursue and achieve.
3. Goals help to refine our focus and vision.
4. Goals can spark our dreams and hopes and help us move toward them.
5. Goals give us the opportunity to learn, grow, change and improve.
6.  Goals keep us moving forward.
7. Goals keep us busy, occupied and productive.

Setting new goals is a great way to start the new year and it is something we can do every day.  For specific steps, go to my article: 5 Steps to Goal Setting Successful.


Your goals are the road maps that guide you and show you what is possible for your life. ~Les Brown

If you don't know where you are going, you'll end up someplace else. ~Yogi Berra

Life can be pulled by goals just as surely as it can be pushed by drives.  ~Viktor Frankl

There is no happiness except in the realization that we have accomplished something. ~Henry Ford

Our plans miscarry because they have no aim. When a man does not know what harbor he is making for, no wind is the right wind. ~Seneca

It is not enough to take steps which may some day lead to a goal; each step must be itself a goal and a step likewise.  ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe


Copyright © 2011 Krystal Kuehn, New Day Family and Couples Counseling Center. All Rights Reserved.



Krystal Kuehn, MA, LPC, LLP, NCC is a psychotherapist, author, teacher & musician. She is the cofounder of New Day Counseling, a family counseling marriage counseling center, BeHappy4Life.com, an award-winning, self-help and inspirational site where you can find hundreds of free resources, insights & words of inspiration to change your life, and Baby-Poems.com where you can find beautiful baby poems, baby quotes, cute sayings & baby videos that will touch your heart & increase your joy & gratitude for the children you love & enjoy! Krystal is also author of The 10 Keys to Happy and Loving Relationships and several blogs: Give Thanks Journal, Baby Poems blog & Be Your Best blog.


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