What if I don't have much to be thankful for?

If you were willing to admit that to anyone, you likely would get some kind of supportive statement, or an inquiry as to what is wrong with your life that leads you to feel that way. Admittedly there ARE many times in life when it is difficult to feel grateful. And there are terrible circumstances that can seem to rob us of our joy. Certainly abuse by others, the loss of a child, financial catastrophe are all things that can help us feel justified in ingratitude. And yet, if we had a way, a tool, to minimize these feeling that we identify as overwhelm, sorrow or grief, depression, etc. then our spirits are free to lift and we can begin to focus again on the good in life.

It is easy to say to someone when they are in the depths of despair, "well, at least you're alive, at least you have your health." I know from experience that some people are not grateful for their life, and choose to take it. Some people really don't value their health. Some people can't even get out of bed to face the day because their problems seem insurmountable.

It is hard to grasp how effective this little "relaxation technique" (EFT) can be, unless you have used it on a daily basis as I have. My suggestion is to write the equivalent of a journal entry about the negativity in life. Take as long as you like and be as true in your thought as possible as you write. Writing in and of itself is therapeutic. Just getting it out on paper has a beneficial effect. Then look at your writing and start pulling out the statements that can be used for setups as tapping. I am going to demonstrate this just by using my statements from this piece.

Even though my husband (brother, sister, co worker) is abusing me, I deeply and completely accept myself.
Even though my child (mother, father, brother) died, I love and accept myself.
Even though our finances are overwhelming us, I deeply and completely accept myself without judgement.
Even though I don't feel thankful...
Even though I can't focus on any good in life...
Even though I am not even thankful to be alive, it's just too painful...
Even though I can't even get out of bed...

These are all rather global statements to be used on very large problems. It then becomes necessary to begin addressing specific emotions, feelings in the body, and experiences in the present or past, to collapse the emotional charge.

In addition to using EFT to lift your spirits, a suggestion by Elder Eyring in Nov, 1989 General Conference.

You could have an experience with the gift of the Holy Ghost today. You could begin a private prayer with thanks. You could start to count your blessings, and then pause for a moment. If you exercise faith, and with the gift of the Holy Ghost, you will find that memories of other blessings will flood into your mind. If you begin to express gratitude for each of them, your prayer may take a little longer than usual. Remembrance will come. And so will gratitude.

Find one thing to be grateful for. Maybe it is that the sun is out; that you have a baby sleeping in the next room; you have a friend or relative that cares. Find one thing, and pray and express gratitude. Then wait. And let the Spirit bring to mind other things to be thankful for. I have attempted this many times, and always have been blessed by the experience.

Your tapping statements can be followed up with affirmations.

I am blessed. I am grateful. I am joyful. Even if you do not feel this way, focusing on it, will in the end bring it to you. Life can test us at times, but we are created to rise above it and experience gratitude and true joy. Men are that they might have joy. It's a fact. We have the ability to choose it, by being grateful.

Blessings, Dawn