Living Fit Mommy: Gratitude is About Recognition and Balance

In the latest issue of O, The Oprah Magazine, Oprah Winfrey talks about the “Power of Gratitude” and what she does every single morning when she awakes.

In order for Oprah Winfrey to live her best life, she must remain grateful.

So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, the November issue of O, The Oprah Magazine is dedicated to “The Power of Gratitude.” Winfrey reveals, “I wake up every morning and the first sentence that comes through my brain is, ‘Thank you.'” In her experience, she says, “If you focus on what you have, you will begin to see that you have more. And if you focus on what you don’t have, you will always live in a space of lack.”

If I were a billionaire, I’d be saying “thank you” too Ms. Winfrey. That said, at the most basic level, I totally get what she means. A lot of times we are so focused on what we don’t have, that we completely overlook all the things we do.

For me, I am grateful for the blessing of breathing every day; so many are denied that privilege due to poor health or otherwise, so I don’t allow myself to take it for granted. Beyond that, my kids and my love give me so much life, I swear. And, gracious, when I can slip on my weight gloves, step up to the bar, and make good things happen…praise God!

Let me tell you, you don’t have to be rich to be wealthy. It’s all about balance and recognition; recognize the good in your life and maintain a proper balance between what will be good and bad times—in other words, learn to roll with it.

Life is short. Blink and you’ll miss it. Don’t spend your days obsessing over stuff you cannot change, spend them being happy that you can keep moving forward—in health and happiness—that’s the power of gratitude.

“The only requirement is that you be willing to find grace in the work of becoming the best and highest expression of yourself,” Winfrey writes. “And knowing that you have the capacity and power to do so.”

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