Gratitude, Appreciation and Optimism

While planning an “Art Of Appreciation” talk for the National Wellness Conference, I started thinking about how gratitude, appreciation and optimism differ from and relate to each other. This is what came to mind: Gratitude is about the good things in the past and present, Appreciation is about the good things that are present, and Optimism is about the good things coming in the future. Goodfinding is the practice of all three–finding the good in past, present and future.

So, why not make it a package deal? Take a mental and emotional break and do some Goodfinding in your past, present and future. Be grateful for all of those who have loved you, believed in you and supported you along the way. Appreciate what is good about right now–what is good, right and working in your life right now? Then do yourself a favor and be optimistic about the wonderful possibilities that lie in your future. Consider lots of wonderful possibilities about what lies ahead for you. In the few moments you’ve spent reading this, you’ve improved your heart function. If you went even further and actually tried some of these exercises, you probably deepened your breathing and raised your energy level!