Those who know me are well aware that I am all for playing the happy fool, but let’s be serious for a moment. If you are not already a regular gratitude practitioner, what are you waiting for? I must confess, I love the benefits of gratitude in daily life.
As my level of appreciation for everything increased, so did my ‘luck’.
I started noticing that good things would keep happening to me. People started noticing it too, and often asked about how I attracted so much luck!
But is it luck? It may be just that. I prefer believing that gratitude attracts more reasons to be grateful.
You will find plenty of material on the benefits of gratitude on the internet. And I can confirm that the benefits do manifest in abundance, in so many forms. Especially in the day-to-day little things that make your life a better one.
Don’t expect anything or look for it: simply stay optimistic that the energy that connects us all is on your side.
It’s in the little daily things
I just spent four days in central Milan, visiting dear friends and former colleagues. I was well received and had such a lovely time. Even the sun shone every day; Milan felt homelier than I remembered it and all my connections here were adorable.
Enhanced gratitude-attitude changes the whole life experience.
I set off from the city on Saturday morning. My Milanese girlfriend found reference to Camping Vela, probably one of the very few open camping sites on Lake d’Iseo, North Italy. I chose this destination because I have commitments in nearby Brescia a few days later and relaxing by a lake appealed a lot.
As I am writing this, a swan just landed softly on the lake, just by my campervan. Instinctively, I thanked him for the show!
When I turned up at the gate of the campsite it appeared closed. I stayed there for a little while, distracted by some messages on my phone and the next thing, the gate opens.
The site was indeed closed but the owner Bruno saw me and let me pitch up anyway. Such a lovely, basic campsite, located on the best spot. Right on the bank of the lake.
Camping Vela – Lago d’Iseo 
Swan Lake – Lago D’Iseo
Bruno told me to position my van in whichever way I preferred, to make the most of the amazing views. From my camper, I can see Montisola (unbeknown to me, a nominee for “European Best Destinations 2019! You can vote here: https://www.europeanbestdestinations.com/european-best-destinations-2019)
I am hopping on that car-less island tomorrow. There is a regular boat that takes you there and I will take my bicycle with me so I can cycle around it (c.10km they say).
[Photos taken the next day!]
Cycling Monte Isola 
Cycling Monte Isola 
Cycling Monte Isola
The only other person on the campsite is a well-established F1 mechanic who lives here more permanently. On day two of my stay, he’s already treated me and Bruno to breakfast with freshly made cappuccino and warm croissants, and lunch with “pasta alle vongole” (clams). Yum!
All enjoyed in great company at his little but very functional lake-side residence, comprising of a former caravan attached to a self-built extension overlooking the amazing views. Swans rest right by his porch.
“Lucky me!”
If you pause often during each day to be grateful and thankful for the multitude of small, little but meaningful events and people that cross your path, life soon takes on a very different perspective.
If you’d like to discuss how you can manifest more gratitude in your daily life, please feel free to get in touch with me here: http://gr8fool.com/getintouch/
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