1. Focus on what you have, not what you lack.

2. Think of the good things in life~ family, friends, enjoyable pastimes

3. Take inventory of your talents, skills, achievements and positive qualities-no matter how big or small they are.

Then when something goes wrong, put your disappointments into perspective by looking at your list!!

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), April 14, 2002

Answers

I'm reading H. Norman Wright's, Tomorrow Can Be Different (highly recommended!), which develops these ideas, among others. Just went through the chapter on "Blessed Survivors" and their qualities and attitudes for survival. Number 3 attitude is this:

"I am a fortunate personal regardless of what I have experienced. There are blessings around you that you may be ignoring because you are focusing on your losses instead of your gains. There is always hope and the possibility of growth. You could be much worse off than you are. Survivors consistently take inventory of what they have rather than what they do not have. When was the last time you took such an inventory?"

-- Randal in Brazil (randal@rhyme.cjb.net), April 15, 2002.

When I start to feel down, I make a list of all the things I'd like to have if I were rich. It doesn't take me long to realize I already have it all, just on a smaller scale:^)

-- Gayle in KY (gayleannesmith@yahoo.com), April 15, 2002.