You may have heard me mention ‘the candy store’ before?

Although I used to LOVE sweets as a youngster this is a different type of candy store… so named by the boys at work, because I love to go there.  My candy store is a gym.  It makes me happy.  I feel grateful that I get to indulge in selfish (in a good way!) 100% ‘me’ time… working towards improving my health and quality of life.

Oh, and there’s eye candy at the candy store.

Anyway, how does that relate to you?  Apart from feeling grateful that you have the time, means and ability to exercise of course… as I trained (lower bod my fav work-out today) I was aware of my inclination to focus on that one little thing that I don’t love.

Perhaps you can relate?  Out of everything fantastic you’ve eaten today, you’re giving yourself grief – still! – for the pasta you ate last night?  Or after 9 days of sun you’re miserable that today it rains when you’re due to go for your walk – really? – throw on that raincoat and prove your health is not fair-weather dependant ok?

My one little thing is a trainer – a HULK of a dude, and his attitude really grates me.  You know the type, constantly texting or gazing in the mirror as he trains his clients… never putting his weights away.  He’s actually the exception to the rule.  As I ‘called myself’ on MY BAD ATTITUDE (!) I noticed all the other trainers (there’s 40+ at this club) going about their jobs for the most part an example of health and professionalism.

So, I focused on them.  And it was a vastly more enjoyable experience at the candy store.

Enter, that self-important client who alternates between strutting lengths of the gym floor to try and chat up chicks half his age and conducting loud business deals on his mobile while hogging the squat rack… (dude, can you just quiet down and lift?!).  Thankfully I was able to call myself on my attitude even quicker this time… and focus instead on the vast majority of other clients giving their best effort – or at the very least – just getting it done without the unnecessary pea cocking action.

Yes, back to enjoyment at the candy store.

And that really is my point.  If what you focus on expands – as it does – then for what purpose would you ever choose to focus on the stuff you don’t like or the things you don’t want to happen?

=> Think “I hate my fat thighs and love handles” if you want MORE fat thighs and love handles.
=> Focus on how hard it is to make time to prepare nutritious meals and you’ll continue to find it hard.
=> Indulge in lazy physiology and WOW you’ll feel sluggish and unenergised.
=> Continue the habit of negative pressure filled language and Yes you’ll never look forward to exercise because “exercise is so boring… and I’m so tired… and I have to starve myself and slog my guts out to see any tiny result so it’s really not worth the massive effort.”

Or instead feel GRATEFUL for everything amazing in your life, your day, this minute and it’s amazing how much more you’ll have to feel grateful for.

=> there’s one part of your body you LOVE isn’t there?  Either the way it looks or the way it works.
=> creating a routine for preparing great meals in bulk takes a tad of effort to start.  However, it only gets easier, saves time and is rewarding right?
=> do you ever feel worse for just getting up and moving your body?  Me neither.
=> how much more inclined are you to get your training groove on when you decide “I love that every time I exercise I’m entrenching the habit, providing an example to my kids and getting stronger with every single session”.

When I decided this week to post about gratitude it was originally inspired by the outta-control-stunningly-AMAZING house sitting experience I’ve just embarked on. It’s pretty easy to feel grateful surrounded by absolute luxury.

I’m hugely flattered and grateful to my dear clients who’ve entrusted their family home into my care.

However, I’m also aware that every single day I’m grateful for my own little flat, in a city I love, in a suburb I love and super close to my friends that I love and my job that I love.

There’s so much to be grateful for – it really doesn’t need to be the HUGE things – it’s your choice what you decide to be grateful for and what will make you happy.

If my first cup of coffee of the day is pure bliss – does that make me too easy to please – or someone who gets to experience a whole lot of happiness very frequently?

I’m going to subscribe to the whole lot of happiness option thank you!

What is one of the little things that you’re feeling grateful for today?