Accentuate the Positive.

Living Your Five (head over there if you haven't already) is about making the world a better place by choosing five things you are really passionate about and incorporating them into your daily life.

I have already written about my first "five" - Attitude of Gratitude. Last week I made sure that my attitude of gratitude was having an impact on the world by passing on my thanks and appreciation to some friends that had encouraged me. Check out that post here.

Now it's time for my second "five" - Accentuate the Positive.

For me, this is all about paying attention to the positive people, events and opportunities in my life.

I plan to surround myself with positive people. I plan to be a positive person, the type of person that gives the people around me a lift. Someone that builds people up, rather than tearing them down. Let's all stick together, positive people! Down with whinging and back-biting!

I plan on noticing when good things happen. I plan on fully enjoying every little thing in my life, each lovely cup of tea, the feel of sunshine on my face, watching my kids play together and the satisfaction of submitting a uni assignment.

I believe that by being a positive person, and paying attention to the positives in my life, I draw more positive people and experiences to me. I believe that by being a positive person, I will help to make the world a better place.

So, how about you? What are your "five"?

Gratitude Revisited

I received this award some time ago from the beautiful Velvet at vvb32reads. I just want to let you know, Velvet, that I really appreciate receiving this award, and I haven't forgotten about it!

I'm not one to worry too much about rules when it comes to passing on awards, I'm just sending it on to four friends who have encouraged me with their comments in the past week or so. I'm big on encouragement. I know I need it, and I like to give it to others whenever I can. So if you are listed below, know that your encouragement was great, and I hope to be able to encourage you right back when you need it.

Without further ado...

1. Witch Baby from Witch Baby's Journey. Please check out her fabulous blog if you haven't already. She has a little bit of this and a little bit of that - never boring and usually thought-provoking and enjoyable!
2. Alex the Girl from Please Try Again. I love the way Alex writes!
3. Glenda from A New Journey Begins... Glenda, like me, is studying to become a Teacher Librarian, and is struggling her way through the same assignments as I am. It's nice to have friends to share the ups and downs with.
4. Sarbear from My Life Is An Effing Fairy Tale! Sarbear's blog has lots of bling, but underneath the glitz and glamour, she's a very kind-hearted soul and a great friend.

Please take the time to visit these blogs if they're not familiar to you. And let's all try to encourage one another when we can, and express our gratitude when we are encouraged!

Attitude of Gratitude

I am passionate about committing to living a life of gratitude.

Why?

1. I have soooo much to be thankful for.
2. It helps keep me mentally healthy.
3. It makes me more able to make a positive difference in the world.

What do I mean by living a life of gratitude? (It definitely doesn't mean being thankful for everything, even bad things.)

It means:

• Noticing good things, experiencing them fully, and feeling thankful for them.
• Letting people know that I truly appreciate them when I thank them.
• Taking the time to consciously 'count my blessings', even when things get tough.

The 'Attitude of Gratitude' is number one, in my 'five things'. To find out more about the 'five things', head to Living Your Five.

Living Your Five

I encourage you all - yes, you! - to visit Living Your Five and to get involved.

I visit the blogs that I follow regularly, and I see so much that I love! So much that informs me and entertains me; book reviews, photos, videos, opinion pieces, personal stories...

The blogs that I follow make me laugh, and occasionally, cry. They make me say to myself, 'I must try/see/read/do that!'. I follow links that lead me to other blogs, useful articles, competitions and interesting issues. I 'meet' new friends, leave comments, and take away lots and lots of ideas.

Nothing has excited me as much as Living Your Five.

I don't want to say too much, because I want to pique your interest so that you head over there to see for yourself. But it's all about figuring out what is most important in your life; what excites and motivates you, what you're passionate about; and putting it into practice.

And of course there is fun and competitions where you can win stuff!

If this post inspires you to check out Living Your Five then leave me a comment to let me know. And stay tuned for more...