Dear Lucky Stars. Thankyou!

Have you ever just flopped down into your favourite lounge chair and thanked your lucky stars that something wonderful just happened?!

Maybe you were able to avoid a car accident on your way home; or you just found out that a family member who is ill is going to make a full recovery; or that the suspended payment that was hanging just went through onto your account. These are all completely valid reasons to feel grateful, but what about the things that you don't quite have yet, or that are even way off in your plans for the future, or the wonderful new friends that are yet to grace your life? Do you say "Thankyou" for those things? Are you grateful for the help you are "going to" receive?

I would be very surprised if the forward thinking members of WA were not already aware of the power of an attitude of gratitude, but I would put money on there still being some who "forget" to practice it... how do I know this? Guilty!! Yes, I too at times forget to say "thankyou" for all of the wonderful gems that will be coming to me on this amazing journey we call life, but I am getting better at it... I promise!

During a rather stale period of my life where the lights were dimmed right down, but still on, I read a lot of self-help information in an effort to keep myself afloat in the mental arena. I tried out different methods of improving oneself and I would have to say that one of my favourite things that I have added into my daily routine is the practice of being thankful in advance - paying it forward in the gratitude stakes, if you like. Of course I started with a list of things that I was grateful that I already had and things that were already happening, so then it was easy to add the stuff that I was wishing for. Well, you know what? I have received many things that I have asked for and been grateful for in advance.

Being grateful in advance for something that is not yet in your life is a way to prepare yourself mentally and emotionally for a change in your subconscious that will allow you to enjoy what you will receive to the fullest and not take it for granted when it "arrives". We've all heard the stories about people winning the lottery, only to be back in the same financial position they were in before winning, by the end of one year. They took the winning for granted and did not take the time to prepare themselves for their "stroke of luck" and so on a subconscious level did not feel that it would last... so it didn't!

I have seen myself sabotage many efforts in the past in a similar fashion, not with money, but with success in general and I know there are many of you out there who would be able to relate.

There is a saying by the famous film producer Samuel Goldwyn. He said: "The harder I work, the luckier I get". You see, people have this tendency to wildly imagine that someone who "appears" to do things with ease is "lucky". Why is that? Is it not possibile that they are doing things behind the scenes that you are just not aware of? Maybe? Of course they are! Also, I would bet that one of those things is expressing gratitude for what they have and the things they would like to have.

What about those signs that indicate a non-smoking area that read "Thankyou For Not Smoking"? They are indeed thanking smokers in anticipation of their cooperation. As a person who smokes, would you rather read a sign that states: "No Smoking Allowed" or one that kindly thanks you for not doing so by trusting that you will understand the reason behind the message? Clever, aren't they?

OR

Here's a simplified list for me:

I am grateful for the wonderful opportunity that has presented itself to me with this new venture of affiliate marketing

I am grateful for having come across WA and in 2 short weeks made some amazing connections with the people here

I am grateful for the wonderful fruits that my labour will yield in time, due to my continued efforts and unwaivering belief that I will succeed in achieving the many goals on my list, both big and small

Thankyou so much to all who will read, digest and comment on this, my very first, post!

So if you would like to share... tell us all... what are YOU grateful for?