A story from Learning to Dance in the Rain....

If practicing an attitude of gratitude during Life's storms is a bit much for you to handle right now, that's okay. When things are tough, most people have a hard time being thankful. They're so caught up in what's wrong in the present moment that they simply can't see some things are still right.

If that's true for you, then accept it. You're going through a rough patch, and you don't like it one bit. Very normal, very human.

But now ask yourself this: Could it be worse? Are there bad things that could have happened but didn't? Are there other people who are suffering from worse calamities than yours? Are you glad that the mess you're in isn't worse?

If your answer is yes, then there's something to be grateful for. It may be only a small comfort right now, but it's a start.

Make a list of some of the terrible things that didn't happen. For example:

You lost your job . . . but you didn't lose your health.

The bank foreclosed on your house . . . but your family didn't desert you.

Your dog died . . . but your spouse didn't.

Your mother has Alzheimer's disease . . . but your father doesn't.

You were in a car accident . . . but you weren't seriously hurt.

You broke your leg . . . but you didn't break your neck.

You're suffering from depression . . . but you don't have cancer.

You're broke . . . but you're not homeless.

Your house flooded . . . but your family photo albums were undamaged.

No matter how bad things are, they could always be worse. Start finding gratitude for what might have happened, but didn't.

You may not be thankful for everything-but you can always be thankful for something.