Written by Bloom Magazine

It's a common piece of advice to count your blessings. But how often do we actually stop and reflect on the good things in our lives? We go, go, go—from work to home to family obligations and back again. It's easy to get caught up in all the things we have left to do or could be doing better. The truth is, though, that you can improve your life by harnessing the power of gratitude. Whether it's through journaling, saying thank you (and meaning it), or just taking a few moments each day to take stock of what's going well for you—like how you managed not to spill coffee all over yourself this morning—you can positively transform your life by incorporating some gratitude into your routine.

Gratitude keeps us connected.

Gratitude keeps us connected. It helps us connect with others and with ourselves; it helps us connect with the world, and it helps us connect with the universe. It's through gratitude that we feel like we're part of something bigger than ourselves, as well as more conscious of our place within it.

Gratitude can help battle negative thoughts.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of negative thinking, especially when you’re feeling down. The good news is that gratitude can actually help you combat negative thoughts. When you focus on what you are grateful for, it helps bring your attention away from the problems in your life and refocus it on the positive aspects of your life. Gratitude also has a way of making us feel more connected to others, which can also help improve our general outlook on life.

Gratitude can be a tool for self-improvement.

Now, you might be thinking, “Well that's all well and good but I don't have anything to be grateful for.” That's where the power of gratitude comes in. While it may seem like a selfish act at first glance, giving thanks is actually one of the best ways to improve your own life and well-being. When you're grateful for things that are already present in your life (like a job, or a home), you're more likely to make decisions that benefit those things as opposed to ones that could negatively affect them. Gratitude can also help people cope with stress by shifting their focus away from what they don't have toward what they do have in their lives right now.

Gratitude strengthens relationships.

This year, set aside time each day to appreciate the things that are good in your life. Gratitude is an important ingredient for a successful relationship and can help you feel closer to those around you.

• Gratitude helps strengthen relationships. When we express gratitude towards others, it makes us more appreciative of their presence in our lives, which will cause them to feel appreciated as well. They'll be more likely to continue doing things for us if we show appreciation for what they're already giving us—and vice versa!

• Expressing gratitude helps strengthen relationships with family members and friends by making them feel like their presence matters in our lives just as much as theirs does theirs; this leads people who don't know each other well enough yet (like work colleagues) closer together by showing appreciation for small gestures such as offering advice on how best handle a challenging situation without getting overwhelmed emotionally.

Takeaway: Expressing gratitude to yourself and others will have a positive impact on your day, and your life. Learning and practicing the habit of gratitude can have a positive impact on your life. Gratitude is a habit that can be learned, practiced, and developed. It's also something that can be strengthened by expressing gratitude to others.

The next time you feel like something isn’t going your way, or that you’re not getting the treatment you deserve, try to shift your focus to what is already working well in your life. Chances are there's more good than bad happening each day—more wins than losses. Learning how to harness the power of gratitude just might be the key to overcoming negative thoughts and embarking on a happier journey through life.