By nature, we tend to focus on what we have failed to do rather than on what we have achieved.
Usually, after an argument, an assignment, or an exam, we stop to think about how we could have done better. We look for the mistake and focus on it, instead of focusing on everything else we did well.
The exam, the assignment, the argument… you did the best you could at that moment. If you could have done better, you would have; you would not have held anything back for later.
Will you face the same exam in the future? Perhaps, but it will no longer be the same, and neither will you. Will you have the same argument in the future? Maybe, but it will no longer be the same, and neither will you. Today you are wiser than you were in the past, even if that past was only a few minutes ago.
Thank yourself: you do the best you can every moment of your life. At every moment, you are giving your best. Thank yourself for that.
Thank yourself every day for all the effort you put into becoming better each day. Be thankful for everything you have. Give thanks for the things you do every day and take for granted, as well as for those you make an effort to do. Thank your legs for the good work they have done today; many people do not have them. Thank your arms for the good work they have done today; many people wish they had them. Thank every cell in your body: they too are doing the best they can for you and on your behalf.
Every day before you go to sleep, thank yourself and remember all the good you did that day. If you cannot remember doing anything good, thank yourself for recognizing it. Be your own number-one fan, your most devoted follower, your own influencer.
Recognizing and appreciating all the good we do every day trains us to recognize and appreciate all the good others do.
“Gratitude is the art of painting adversity into a beautiful picture.”
Kak Sri