Rex was frustrated. He was having trouble using the controls with his tiny little arms. Doing all that he could, desperate to defeat Zurg in the video game, Buzz Lightyear: Attack on Zurg, he lost again.

Rex’s pursuit is like our quest to cultivate a good life. We’re busy doing all kinds of activity in the hope that it fills our life with happiness + contentment.

At the end of the film we see Hamm playing the game asking Rex’s for help, but Rex declares, “I don’t need to play; I’ve lived it!”.

What a great scene!

No longer was he expending enormous energy only to fall short. You see on their quest to rescue Woody, Rex finds a strategy guide for the video game. Finally he knows where Zurg’s fortress is. It’s to the left, hidden in the shadows.

With the right strategy we can cultivate a good life. Like Rex, we can live it!

The Power of Words

Words are powerful. So what do these tiny things that we use thousands of everyday have to do with cultivating a good life?

Words are containers. Proverbs 18:21 tells us that life + death is in the power of the tongue. They can heal, hurt, hinder, harm, humble + help. You can change your life simply by changing your words.

Think about a time when you were complaining about someone or a situation. How did it make you feel? No so grand, even a little down, I know.

What about a time when you genuinely praised a loved one. That feels pretty good right?! It lifts your spirits, + theirs too.

That’s the power of words.

Thoughts create life

And our words are shaped by what we think.

Such little things we often don’t give much attention to, have the power to shape our life. So to make a change to your life with your words, you first need to consider your thoughts.

The best insight I’ve found about the power of our thoughts is in Proverbs 23:7. Simply stated, we are what we think. Your thoughts are the soil from which your words + actions spring from.

And over time, like in the quote below by Ralph Waldo Emerson, create our destiny.

Watch your thoughts for they become words, watch your words for they become actions, watch your actions, for they become habits, watch your habits for they become your character, watch your character for it becomes your destiny.

So in answer to our question, to cultivate a good life begins by being mindful of your thoughts.

How to Cultivate a Good Life

The most simple, yet powerful way I’ve discovered to become more mindful of your thoughts is by gratitude journalling.

When you are thankful in what you think, say + do, it changes your life.

You’re welcome to read more about the incredible benefits gratitude has on your life.

As creatives there are many ways we can cultivate a good life with the power gratitude. Download the free gratitude prompts to write it down + say it aloud.

1. Write it down

Count your blessings in your planner or memory keeping projects. Maybe it’s a combination of the two, a memory planner.

What better stories to tell than those of your gratitude.

Dive in a little deeper with your journalling. Use the Who, What, When, Where + How to explore the way that person, thing or action impacted your life.

2. Say it aloud

Show your gratitude by doing things to those who bless you.

Let them know! Send a card, cook something special.

Say it aloud with your words + actions. Get crafty : with your thankfulness + shop the new Gratitude products.

However you say it, colour your thankfulness + cultivate a good life!

Success comes when you #takeaction

Download the gratitude prompts

Take the challenge, click the image above + cultivate a good life with the power of gratitude!

#plansmomentslife

Share: What’s a natural way you show your gratitude?

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