The surest path to happiness is gratitude.

This statement flips the traditional equation of emotional well-being on its head. We are often taught to believe that the sequence is: Achievement, Happiness, Gratitude. We think, "Once I get that job, or that house, or that partner, then I will be happy, and then I will be grateful."But this quote argues that the sequence is actually: Gratitude, Happiness, Achievement. Gratitude is not a reaction to getting what you want; it is a discipline of attention.It is the ability to see the abundance that already exists in your life, rather than fixating on the scarcity or the "gap" of what is missing. When you focus on what you lack, you train your brain to see flaws, creating a state of chronic dissatisfaction. When you focus on what you have, you train your brain to see opportunities and blessings, creating a state of sufficiency. It is physiologically difficult for the brain to be in a state of fear or envy while simultaneously being in a state of true gratitude. Gratitude is the "fast track" because it is accessible right now, regardless of your external circumstances. You don't need to change your life to change how you feel about it; you just need to change your focus. Let's practice the "Three Good Things" exercise: What are three specific things that happened in the last 24 hours (a warm shower, a good meal, a kind text) that you can be grateful for right now?timelessquotes.blog