Gorgeous Me: Be grateful for your life

Be happy with your life.

I don't know about you but my life at one point was all about working towards that next thing I so desperately wanted or needed, and the rush to get there. I woke up one day and realised there will always be something I want, not so much need, and once I get it, there'll be something else. A lesson I share with my boys.

What if we were to stop thinking about what we didn't have and start being grateful for all we do have?

I may have mentioned this before but, a while ago, a girlfriend about to turn 40 was disappointed not to be further ahead financially than she was. She felt she had let herself down and she was glum about it.

I perked her up immensely by making her appreciate that she was one of the richest women I knew - she had the most gorgeous husband and children, she was surrounded by an abundance of friends and extended family, she had a career to be proud of, the financial freedom to do and see amazing things.

Another girlfriend recently told me she'd heard an inspiring speaker at a conference talking about "gratitude", then she read a similar sentiment by someone else. It encouraged her to keep a "gratitude diary".

Each night before going to sleep, she'd jot down one thing she was grateful for, whether it happened that day or was something she already had. My friend found the exercise extremely positive and uplifting. It made her far more appreciative of what she had.

It is so easy to focus on what we don't have, and we are surrounded by temptation all the time - damn advertisers (I used to be one).

Focusing on what we have and being thankful for it, believe it or not, does make you feel great. I encourage you to give it a go. Start by taking five quiet minutes to reflect then go into your "grateful space" regularly, or do as my friend did, and reflect daily. You'll be pleased you did.

Gratitude, it's good for the soul and our gorgeousness.

Lisa Lyford is the founder of Gorgeous Me, free DIY personal styling and makeover advice. gorgeousme.co

Send your questions for Lisa to regionalfeatures@nzme.co.nz.