By Angela Thomas

When you have something to live for it makes you thankful for waking up to see another day and you see the importance of the steps to live a longer life. Gratitude will definitely reshape your attitude, making even the tough times positive.

Thankfulness keeps us focused on the positive, reminding us that there is always hope and what may appear as impossible seems possible. When there is a sense of purpose it helps a person to make a decision to change and become more alive, more enthusiastic and more optimistic. This life is shorter than we realize, but eternity is longer than we can imagine.

In Psalms 90:10 (NLT) it says, “Seventy years are given to us! Some may even reach eighty. But even the best of these years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we are gone.” Waste no more time on petty things, for life is precious and a gift from God that we may rejoice and be glad all of our days.

Life is full of challenges! As we already know challenges can be what empower us and take us to the next level. God doesn’t want to see us in pain or hurt us, but He is willing to use our pain to accomplish great things in us and around us. Jesus said that if we seek, we will find. If we ask, we will receive. If we knock, the door will open (Matthew 7:8). The Bible says you don’t have because you don’t ask (James 4:2). If we anticipate the best, there’s a chance it will happen. Believing the best allows us to see the best. My request is that I live a long, healthy and prosperous life.

I believe if we all look around us we will see miracles, wonders, and great beauty. Just look at the lives of your children, relatives, friends and families. How sad would we be if we allow ourselves to become so overwhelmed by the bad things in life and became blinded to all the good things in life? Maybe we should all consider craving for a greater life with laughter, fun, joy and hope. But most importantly we should choose life and choose to live it to the fullest. My cravings for life are that I live a life with a sound mind, good health, able to enjoy the good and learn from the bad. I want to embrace and digest all the good in my life to make room for more and I encourage you to do the same.

Angela M. Thomas is a certified inspirational speaker, and author of eight inspirational nurturing books. She also is the CEO/ Publisher of Sheerpurrfection Publishing and Reach 2 Teach Literary Program. To book or contact Angela, please call (305) 793-1347 or visit www.AngelaMThomas.com