There is the old proverb that a rich man doesn't have everything he wants, he wants everything he has. We've all been told at some point in our lives by someone that we "should count our blessings." As with most ancient wisdoms, modern thought and science are discovering every day how true that statement is.

Our culture has a strong focus on change and improvement. This focus is what motivates us to drive ourselves to success and advance our civilization. But, in the wise words of my yoga instructor, "to achieve proper balance...if we bend forward, we must bend back...if we bend right, we must bend left." If we only look towards change without acknowledging what we already have to be grateful for and what we may want to keep around, we cannot be balanced in our lives.

But, gratitude is not just good for us on a spiritual and emotional level. Science has shown that the brain stimulates thought by stimulating a series of pathways between brain cells. Some pathways contain negative thinking, others contain positive thoughts. Research has also shown that positive thinking promotes creativity, resourcefulness, effective problem-solving and improved sense of self. Best of all, the law of physics that says "a body in motion tends to stay in motion" also seems to apply to brain activity and lines of thinking. Using our brains to bring up thoughts and expressions of gratitude promotes a sense of well-being and positive thinking that then translates into successful pursuit of change and more positive thinking.

Here's a brief excerpt from a book on Positive Psychology that explains this phenomenon:

"Love and appreciation are both positive emotions. And when you engage in either of them, or any other positive emotions, you cannot be simultaneously miserable. That's because the brain is not wired to possess both a positive and a negative at the same time ... In other words, you cannot be on two different streets at the same time ... [If you are a habitually negative person], engage the lesser-used pathways of [the] brain so that eventually [you] might have more of a positive perspective on life."
-From What Happy Women Know: How New Findings in Positive Psychology Can Change Women's Lives for the Better, by Dan Baker PhD and Cathy Greenberg PhD with Ina Yalof.

So, in this new year, I encourage you to set a precedent in your life, your thinking and your brain for being positively aware of what good things have come your way. Make a list of all the things that you are grateful for. Write down the values, relationships, thoughts, and feelings that are most important to you and that you would be willing to defend.

Find your "richness" and the rest will follow.

Author's Bio: 

Dr. Irina Kerzhnerman is a Licensed Psychologist in Deerfield Beach, FL. With a name that is so hard to pronounce, she has come to be known as "Dr. Irene" to those who value her services. Her private practice focuses on helping people identify and manage their stress, figure out what they want out of life and succeed.

For more information how how Dr. Irene can help you manage your stress and figure out how to get more satisfaction out of your life, visit www.drireneonline.com or call (954) 692-3570 for a FREE 30-minute phone consultation.