Are you someone who gets complacent about the good things in your life? In this post from the Winners Circle, Lou Tice tells us that there is probably a physiological reason for complacency like that; and, more importantly, gives us some thoughts on how we might be able to become more aware of what we have that’s good.

One of the things that I constantly remind myself about, is to be very aware of the good things in my life. It seems to be a part of human biological functioning to take good things for granted, especially those good things that are a part of our day-in, day-out lives.

You see, there is actually a part of our brain that is designed to screen out anything that isn’t hurtful, fearful, or physically moving. A long time ago, it helped our ancestors stay alive and get ready to fight or run away.

Nowadays, this brain function may have something to do with our neglect of the good but very familiar things in our lives. So is there anything we can do about it? How can we combat this complacency?

Well, for one thing we can become conscious! We can stimulate our own awareness by making lists of the things we are grateful for, and by deliberately thinking about what we value and take pleasure from.

We can express these feelings in words, or in other ways. We can express them openly, and in the process help others to remember their own reasons for gratitude. What are you grateful for in your life? How do you express your gratitude, and how often do you express it?

Are you taking your most important gifts for granted? If so, how could you change, and how soon?

Lou Tice
The Pacific Institute

When I think about myself and my life, I tend to be a “glass half empty” kind of person — see the bad things and miss the good. I’m the opposite when I think about others, “glass half full”, and look much more for the positives in other people. Not because I want to compare how bad my life is in comparison to everyone else around me, but because I believe that on a fundamental level most people are “good”.

When I sit and think about things logically, I am able to see the good in myself and my life. And while there is undoubtedly bad stuff, there really is a lot of good too. It had never occurred to me that my way of thinking might be because of an inbuilt brain function; one that I might be able to influence to a certain extent. But I need to act on the advice given in this piece to do it. Will I though? I don’t know. I wonder how many times I’ve sung, “Count your blessings”, and then not done so.

Another helpful post from Lou Tice at the Winners Circle. If you think you might benefit from more, do please consider subscribing to the daily emails yourself; it doesn’t cost anything.