That evening I sat back in my favourite "Alice in Wonderland" red armchair, and tried to figure out what the lesson had been. What was the universe trying to tell me, to show me?

And then I remembered a daily habit I used to practice a while back. At that time, I had a notebook sitting by my bed, and I would take a few extra minutes before I turned off the lights each night to write down 10 things that I was grateful for that day.

On an energetic level, gratitude has one of the highest vibrational levels of any emotion - and has the power to heal, to transform, to literally transmute our current experience into something magical, joyful, and fulfilling. Gratitude is the lubricant for the process of living our dreams.

So I decided to start that practice up once again. Since then, I've been looking forward to the time each evening when I get to actively focus on what's going right in my world.

My gratitude lists have been personal, inspiring, and enlightening. They have, in both subtle and direct ways, helped shape my days, and bring greater and more positive awareness to my daily experiences.

I've found that there are many categories of things to be grateful for. I write about my family and their unconditional support; my health and the amazing functioning of my body; and my spacious and comfortable home. About the beauty of the city in bloom, about the people in my life and the joy and learning they bring, and about some of my possessions which bring me comfort and pleasure.

I write about my gratitude for my emotions, which help me grow and relate in the world; my uncertainty and doubt which teach me resilience and in-the-now-ness; the food which nourishes me; and the food which simply tastes good. I write about my gratitude for the people who support my experience from behind the scenes - like my mailman, the young man who made that delicious sandwich for me at the sandwich shop, the gas station attendant with the infectious smile.

I also write about the things which don't at first appear to be positive, but are lessons and opportunities in disguise for practicing gratitude.

For example, the mess in the house reminds me or how good it feels to have a clean home. It makes me remember how I used to enjoy puttering on Saturday mornings, listening to NPR while straightening my living space. Thank you mess, for reminding me. I think I'll take on that weekly practice again.

The rattle in my car reminds me of what a great service my Honda provides to me, and that I can enjoy caring for her as I would for a faithful old friend. And the ache in my knee reminds me to take better care of myself, and of the true miracle that my body is to me.

Gratitude is often a practiced emotion. It is an attitude we can train ourselves to step into more often.

It is not about putting on a false Pollyanna attitude, but rather about cultivating a deep-rooted peacefulness and acceptance of what is. And this effort is more than worth your while - the more you can cultivate gratitude in your life, the more good things you'll automatically attract to yourself.

Try it, you'll see. And, to help you in creating a gratitude habit, I'd like to offer you a challenge:

Plant the seeds: win a month of coaching!

For the next three weeks, each day write down ten things for which you are grateful. It's ok if some items repeat from day to day. To do this exercise fully, just be sure to truly FEEL the gratitude as you write.

At the end of the three weeks, take a few minutes, look over your list, and answer the following questions:

1. What are the threads or themes I see in my gratitude lists?
   
2. What have I gained or learned by taking on this daily gratitude practice?
   
3. Has anything changed or shifted in my daily life, in how I related to the world around me?
   

Your submission is due the week of May 23rd , and no later than May 31st. I will then have a random drawing for the winner.

I encourage you to start now, and to put your full intention behind this exercise - you'll be amazed at the subtle difference even something as simple as a daily gratitude list can make in your life!

Coaching is an on-going cycle of learning and self- discovery, followed by life-altering action. By working with me, you will:

• Uncover your life's purpose
• Identify and pursue more fulfilling and rewarding work
• Increase and follow your creativity
• Become excited to get up in the morning and start your day
• Easily and naturally move into action
• Identify and bypass the obstacles that have kept you stuck

You will achieve things you previously thought you could not, and will continually amaze yourself.

I work with motivated professionals who are looking for what's next, and are open to taking on that challenge and adventure in partnership with me.

See www.heyWhatsNext.com/services.html for more information, and contact me for a free, no-pressure sample coaching session.

Inna Nirenburg is a powerful life coach and workshop leader. She uses her deep wisdom and intuition, as well as a concrete actionable process, to help you answer the question "What's Next?" in all areas of your life.

Inna trained at the prestigious Coaches Training Institute, as well as with Laura Berman Fortgang, and is one of the first few coaches nation-wide licensed by her to use the "Now What? 90 Days to a New Life Direction" program.

Inna is also an artist, creating and exhibiting her collages, jewelry, and acrylic paintings.