{"id":462,"date":"2011-06-03T12:00:42","date_gmt":"2011-06-03T16:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/myhappyplace\/?p=462"},"modified":"2011-06-03T12:00:42","modified_gmt":"2011-06-03T16:00:42","slug":"log-in-with-gratefulness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/myhappyplace\/2011\/06\/log-in-with-gratefulness.html","title":{"rendered":"Log-in with Gratefulness"},"content":{"rendered":"

I remember when I first realized the power of belief. I found out that what I expected truly did come about: focus makes things happen.<\/p>\n

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One of the nature trails in our woods<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At first I was excited with all the possibilities;\u00a0 I started to imagine a place in the country, vacations, an exciting career, a new van, etc. And all of those dreams did come true. When I realized this way of thinking in fact did work,\u00a0 I then had to sit down and think about what I really<\/em> wanted. The answer surprised me.<\/p>\n

I wanted more of what I already had. I wanted more of the same.<\/em><\/p>\n

There are simple, fabulous things happening each and every day and I want to truly appreciate those things and I also want those things to continue into tomorrow and the next day and the next day. That’s when I hit upon the most valuable thought of all. If I can log-in with the password “Grateful”, the things I love about my life get bigger and happen more often. They take center stage. The things I don’t like about my life become fuzzy and out-of-focus…sometimes they even disappear.<\/p>\n

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Yes, I do have so much for which to be thankful. I know that.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With that in mind, I want you (and God) to know that today I am specifically\u00a0 grateful for these five things…<\/p>\n