“When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears.” — Tony Robbins

I was so angry when I applied for Social Security disability benefits.   This was not what I planned!  I wanted more money in the bank – I wanted to retire at 65.  I was afraid that we would not have enough money to have a few extras in our retirement.   In short, I needed to let go of my fears and accept the fact that life is Plan B.

Blocking out anger did not work – it just got me depressed.   Then I remembered the idea of a gratitude journal, which Oprah spoke about.  It was in the book Simple Abundance by Sarah Breathnach.  Every day I wrote down 5 things that I was grateful for, even if it was only for my family, cat, and the fact that I was still able to get out of bed without assistance.  Soon my perception shifted – I got my optimistic outlook back!

Now I only need to write in my gratitude journal once in a while, when I feel melancholy.