“Gratitude is my attitude,” is a mantra we use at First Unity Spiritual Campus that helps us shift our mindset from lack to abundance. It causes us to pause and reflect on our blessings, which attracts more abundance. Rev. Jon Scott says this mantra every Sunday bringing our collective spiritual energy into one. 

This is easy to do in Sunday service or with other like-minded individuals. But how do you stay in this mindset out here in the real world when facing difficult situations such as job loss, divorce (unless you’re throwing a divorce party), an unfavorable health diagnosis, car issues, loneliness and/or living with depression? 

Let’s remember you attract what you think and feel. This is what you’re putting out into the Universe. Just like you can’t expect good karma if you are behaving vengefully, hatefully and selfishly. 

I spoke to a couple of our spiritual leaders about what to do when the attitude of lack takes over the attitude of gratitude. I figured if it happens to me at times then it must happen to you, too. Below is a list of living-in-gratitude suggestions from Rev. Richard Boggs, Rev. Aileen Curtain and me. 

Standing Firmly in Your Attitude of Gratitude Tips:

• “I say the same thing I tell my yoga students,” Dr. Rev. Aileen Curtin said. “It’s once you leave the mat. So the real practice is when you go out the door and go to real life — living.” 
• Take a break from the news. Do you ever hear anything positive from it?
• 10-Minute Meditation for Gratitude & Happiness — Be Thankful for Your Blessings
• “Choosing to flow at a higher vibration is a choice,” Rev. Richard Boggs said. “If you are having a bad day then seek the higher vibration with your thoughts.”
• Write down what you are grateful for. If you can think of only one thing or 20 things, write it down and put it in a place you can view throughout the day. 
• Are you feeling alone? Write down someone you are grateful for. It could even be that person who was nice to you at the grocery store or a friend from childhood.
• Breathe in gratitude and breathe out fear. Take a deep breath in and hold it for a few seconds and then strongly exhale. 
• Do a search in the app store for gratitude downloads.
• When thoughts of lack creep in, say “No, not today, Satan. I don’t have time for you, today. All I have time for in my mind is gratitude. Gratitude does pay my bills and you sure don’t.” 

What works for me, especially on busy days, is listening to gratitude music. Yes, I have a gratitude playlist and I’ll share it with you as an example. Feel free to create your own. 

Gratitude Play List 

• “Thank You” by Dido
• “Grateful” by Hezekiah Walker
• “Talk To Me Nice” by Toni Jones
• “Thank You for Hearing Me” by Sinead O’Connor 
• “Gratitude” Earth, Wind & Fire
• “Be Thankful” by Natalie Cole
• “Float On” by Modest Mouse
• William DeVaughn – Be Thankful For What You Got 

We have Gratitude is My Attitude T-shirts available at First Unity. You can purchase one at our box office or click here to order one and we’ll have it shipped to you. 

Remember, I can give you suggestions to create change in your life, but it’s ultimately up to you to put forth the effort for shift to happen. You’ve got this. Make the change in your life because you deserve abundance, and you are worthy of it.