Gratitude
a month of gratitude
I joined the November ’30 Days of Gratitude’ this year. Each day you write something that you are grateful for. It has been a fun and eye-opening experience. How quickly I forget the good things from the day. Hmmmm.
The practice of gratitude as a tool for happiness has been around for years. Studies support gratitude’s effectiveness, suggesting that a positive, appreciative attitude contributes to greater success in work, greater health, peak performance in sports and business, and a higher sense of well-being.
But while we may acknowledge gratitude’s many benefits, it still can be difficult to sustain.
I find I seem to zig-zag my way to gratitude…it’s definitely not a straight line.
So many of us are trained to notice what is broken, undone or lacking in our lives. And for gratitude to meet its full healing potential in our lives, it needs to become more than just a Thanksgiving word. We have to learn a new way of looking at things, a new habit. And that can take time.
That’s why practicing gratitude makes so much sense. When we practice giving thanks for all we have, instead of complaining about what we lack, we give ourselves the chance to see all of life as an opportunity and a blessing.
Gratitude isn’t an optimistic approach in which the bad things in life are ignored. It’s more a matter of where we put our focus and attention. Pain exists in this world, but when we focus on the gifts of life and love, we gain a feeling of well-being. Gratitude balances us and gives us hope.
As we journey through life, cultivating gratitude can transform our perspective and enhance our experiences. It invites us to pause and reflect on the abundance that surrounds us, even in the smallest moments.
Imagine taking a moment each day to appreciate the warmth of the sun on your skin or the laughter shared with a friend. These seemingly simple acknowledgments can create a ripple effect of positivity in our lives.
Embracing gratitude encourages us to shift our focus from what we lack to what we cherish, fostering a deeper connection with ourselves and others.
Let’s make gratitude a daily practice, not just a seasonal sentiment. Together, we can build a community where appreciation flourishes and inspires us all to live more fully and joyfully.
There are many things to be grateful for: autumn leaves, friends who listen and really hear, chocolate, warm jackets, the ability to read, pets, flowers, health, butterflies. What’s on your list?
What are you grateful for today?
Some Ways to Practice Gratitude
* Keep a gratitude journal in which you list things for which you are thankful. You can make daily, weekly or monthly lists. Greater frequency may be better for creating a new habit, but just keeping that journal where you can see it will remind you to think in a grateful way.
* Practice gratitude around the dinner table or make it part of your nighttime routine.
* Make a game of finding the hidden blessing in a challenging situation.
Practice Gratitude
* When you feel like complaining, make a gratitude list instead. You may be amazed by how much better you feel.
* Notice how gratitude is impacting your life. Write about it.
As you practice, an inner shift begins to occur, and you may be delighted to discover how content and hopeful you are feeling. That sense of fulfillment is gratitude at work.
share some of the things you are grateful for – it might help inspire others!
