Each day messages of doom and gloom fill the newspapers and TV screens. It’s easy to get sucked into the diet of hopelessness and despair we’re fed. Recent reports confirm the stress of debt can make you ill. Keeping your focus on all the negativity around you is a sure-fire way to bring more of it to you.

I know a simple way that can help you feel good about you debt. No matter how big your debt, no matter how long it is going to take you to clear it, you can feel good about it…

Simply, live with an attitude of gratitude.

Make a conscious effort every day to find something to be grateful for, about your debt. Does that sound challenging? For some of you it might be, given the pain and anxiety that can come from being in debt.

Take a pen and paper, sit quietly for 10 minutes and think about the things you could be grateful for around your debt.

I remember the first time I came across this idea. I thought, “that’s silly, how is it going to make me feel good about my debt?” I decided to give it a go -after all I had nothing to lose. Here are some of the things i was able to feel grateful for.

• My outrageously high telephone bill – because it meant I had been talking to people I loved.
• My electricity bill – because of the warmth and shared cups of tea I’d had.
• My friend who listened without judging when I told her I was in debt.
• The clothes on my back.
• The home I live in

My list wasn’t long. But the idea of being grateful about that big ugly debt I had, helped me get things into perspective. Sure, I had created the debt. For the most part, I’d had a lot of fun doing it. There was no merit in beating myself up about how I’d got there. Instead, I focused on what I had got right – I had faced up to my responsibilities and was taking action to clear it.

I realised gratitude was good for me. I felt joy again, my negative self talk improved dramatically. I found I didn’t worry as much. I stopped feeling bitter and resentful about things. I also noticed I attracted different kinds of people into my circle; people who were more positive and upbeat about life.

Living in gratitude is a choice; it takes practice but it become easier over time. I have so many things to be grateful for and I begin each day with thanks.

Go on, give thanks for you debt and watch things around you change.

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