I recently shared the fact that our lives were about to change rather dramatically in terms of moving out of Cape Town itself and heading up country. The change had landed in our laps rather suddenly and although I could envision being very happy with the move, as the quality of life away from the city is just so much better - it was all happening so fast and I was really struggling to process such a massive lifestyle change. There were so many factors to consider... Jude changing schools, or even being able to get him into a new school at such short notice, friends, our living conditions and so much more... but it really didn't look like we were going to have any choice, so I did my best to embrace it.

As it happens, the circumstance has now changed completely and as much as our plan is still to move out that way - we have been able to slow things down a little and look at taking our time to build a house over the next year or two and then move. This affords the time for us to prepare for everything properly... not just on a materialistic level - but an emotional and mental one too... so I a thrilled about that and I really do feel a lot more at ease now!

I am of the firm belief that the habit of practicing gratitude on a daily basis is the key to shifting our lives in a positive direction. This is not only the expression of gratitude for the positive things in our lives, but also for the challenges which we are often faced with.

But sometimes, we can get wrapped up in our day to day existence and agenda, and it is not that we aren’t grateful, but rather that we simply forget to actually verbalise it or take the time to offer it a moment of dedication even in thought.

It is also true that surrounding yourself with the positive attitudes and mind-set of others, that it has a ripple effect on yours too…

So for ALL of us, including myself, I have decided to start this #gratitudetrain. We all spend a good portion of our lives here browsing through our Steemit feeds, so why not build a positive habit in the process. I think it will be great to share something every day that we are grateful for in our lives, no matter how big or small it may be.

Whether it is a new career path, a new hobby, an achievement of your child, a new relationship, a challenge overcome or simply a new pair of shoes… it doesn’t matter! There is without question… ALWAYS something we can take a moment to be grateful for!

Step 1.
So starting today, in the comments section of #gratitudetrain post No. 1 – write something that you are grateful for in your life and start it with the number… as in if this is the first time you are sharing on the #gratitudetrain, then write the number “1.” And then state what you are grateful for.

Step 2.
Keep a record of your #gratitudetrain expressions shared in the comments somewhere in a word doc or such.

Step 3.
When you reach 30 – then publish a post on your own profile and be sure to use the #gratitudetrain tag or to tag me @jaynie in the post.

As simple as that!

The idea of this being, that not only will you develop a healthy and positive habit but at the end of 30 days when you share your own post, you will be able to reflect back and realise, just how MUCH GOODNESS there is in your life!