A creative option to feel better when you’re going through the shit: practice gratitude.

It seems cliche and new age, but it works. Get your mind working to think really hard about what you’re grateful for. Develop the skill.

Here are some fun ones to try: count your loved ones, warm bed, soft pillow, a good nights sleep, a new day with new possibilities, a refreshing glass of water, good eyesight, good hearing, etc. then you level up and get more creative. Watch as new better things start falling in your lap like some kind of secret miracle.

My best one, “I am grateful I get to make kid’s lunch today.” I make that sandwich with love and a smile on my face. I write her name on the sack lunch with a funny drawing. It became a habit so I smile at that time no matter what. Then I learned how to wake up with a smile on my face no matter what.

Then I learned how to be grateful for my cheating ex.

Some will say, “this is too hard, I have nothing to be grateful for today. I’m just tricking myself.” That is the time to dig even deeper and find something, anything to be grateful for.

I don’t want to spoil the end game too much but it is pretty much a HAPPY existence, a better more attractive attitude everywhere toward everyone, your next raise or new job or whatever. My hypothesis is gratitude leads to a good attitude which is what we need to improve our lives.