~~~HOW TO BE GRATEFUL (and happy with yourself)~~~

We all happen to find something thats not right with our selves or our lives, or we may be dissatisfied with our looks or a relationship, our job or anything else.

No one or life can be perfect, if life were to be perfect, we would be bored, there would be no challenges, no problems, simply put, we would not be able to appreciate the good things in life. Thus the only thing we can make 'perfect' is our perspective: Here are some tips on how to be grateful:

• Make an achievement folder: write down everything you are good at, your skills, wins, trophies, compliments, anything and everything that makes you feel good about yourself. I have a carry all that contains my writing portfolios, some essays that I am proud of and some educational and career momentos. If my house were on fire (God forbid) the one material thing Id want to save is this carry all.

• Anytime you read an article or story about someone with difficult circumstances or life, but have a positive attitude about it, cut it out and save it (unless its from the library in which case you can photocopy) and save them in a file. I recently read an article on a woman of my age who has Huntingtons, a disease in which she will slowly lose the ability to think, walk, talk or eat on her own. The woman carries a positive attitude and is helping people with a similar disease because she wants to live her life to the fullest. These articles will prove to be a real spirit booster anytime you re in difficult circumstances and will also remind you, that no matter what, theres always someone else who has it worse.

• Talk to people who cheer you up, and lose anything and anyone who brings you down. Sometimes we become addicted to people who let us down, (there are some psychological explanations for that but lets not go there) lose them! It will be hard but you can do it. If its someone you cannot avoid forever, like a relative then limit correspondence. It will be almost like shedding off an old skin. You will feel tons better.

• Learn a new pastime or creativity. If it doesnt work, move on and get another. Theres no shortage of hobbies out there. The more you learn = self satisfaction.

• My sister and I keep a compliment book. Every time we get a compliment we jot it down. It could be on anything, it just has to have one unifying factor: a word of praise.

• Eat well. Dress well.