By Nancy Stoops

For years my patients have asked me to provide them with coping skills. Over the years I have offered many but learning to focus on what’s right about your life is the most powerful coping skill and tool I know. It is the very thing that causes gratitude verses self-pity. As many of you know I have lost everybody in my biological family. One brother committed suicide, the other brother was murdered, my father passed from pancreatic cancer and three summers ago my mother died. When I share my story people are always astonished because I’m such a positive and happy person. For decades I have learned to focus on what’s right in my life. I don’t focus on the death and grief instead I focus on all the blessings in my life. Truth be told I’m honored and grateful for each and every day I have in this world. Despite the tragedies of my life, I have travelled all around the world, I have two published books on Amazon, I have a thriving private practice, I have had three amazing therapy dogs, and I have had many close-up experiences with large wild animals and have had the pleasure of working with healers from all around the world. I also have one amazing son and two phenomenal grandchildren and a loving husband of forty years. I am truly blessed!

So now think about all the good that you have in your life verses the bad. Make sure that you’re practicing gratitude verses self-pity. I promise if you do you will see phenomenal changes in your life and your mindset. Please don’t deny yourself your best version of you and your best life. Having the correct mindset can literally cause miracles in your life. Being your best self can help you find Nirvana on earth!!!!

This article was written by Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T. Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has a private practice in Diamond Bar and is currently accepting new clients; she is also a motivational speaker who can inspire your employees or group members. Nancy runs free family support groups, a group on loss for seniors, and groups on how to manage anger. For more information about any of these services feel free to contact her at (909) 229-0727. You may e-mail Nancy at nancystoops@verizon.net. You may purchase Nancy’s books Live Heal and Grow and Midnight the Therapy Dog at Amazon.com.