The sayings are out there: “Be Grateful for what you have.” “Be grateful for where you live.” “Be grateful you have a roof over your head.” Why is something so easy, so hard to experience? All the sayings are true, right? If we could be more grateful we would probably feel better more often, and even find more ways to be grateful too!

Here’s the skinny on Gratitude: it’s tough. We live in a world inundated with negative influences. I don’t even want to use the “P” word that’s in the media non-stop, but here it is: Politics. The masses feed on negativity like they can’t get enough of it. When it permeates our environment, we can’t help but absorb it. Even if we feel we’ve accumulated some moments of feeling good and we’re on the up & up loving life it’s usually not long before some influence sideswipes us into frustration. The negative words of a friend, someone complaining about how bad things are, the rough day description of a family member, the dog barf on the carpet…it goes on and on. And you’re expected to feel grateful!?

We’ll here goes, I’ve got a super power to deliver to you: An invisible bubble. The catch, is that it’s only there if you remember it though. You see, you experience the world through your eyes, through your senses, through your accumulated beliefs about what you’ve seen and experienced and sensed. The Truth above all else, is that you get to choose what kind of world you live in based on your perception.

Here’s a harsh reality wake up call to the depth of that truth. An American man went to a war-torn country to see what he could do to help “save” some people there. What he found was happy people and happy kids. The kids were playing soccer in a field where bombs in the distance could be seen exploding. He was beside himself. Here he was trying to help them, and many of them were perfectly fine. He realized it was his perception that needed help more than anything else.

The bottom line: Shift your perception and shift your life from a state of frustration, worry, doubt, uncertainty, and fear, to a life of, “I have the power to allow or not allow negativity inside of my invisible bubble.” I can choose how I feel, and if I keep myself uplifted and grateful, then I will influence those around me to do the same and that my friend is what will create peace, and fun and happiness in your life. It’s all what you choose to perceive.

Use your bubble to protect you. It’s invisible, but it’s also very powerful. And by the way, take a moment and think back on your life: Have you ever been positively influenced or “saved” by someone else who was living in a state of frustration, fear, worry, hate, jealously. No, my friend, I seriously doubt it. If you want to help and influence others, be a LIGHT – a positive voice painting a picture of hopefulness and positivity – not a product of darkness. You got this.