Thanksgiving is often a time of family and friends coming together to share a meal, have some laughs and enjoy some time off. Thanksgiving is also a time to give thanks. In our fast-paced world, though, being thankful does not come easily. As you can imagine, gratitude often gets lost in the To Do lists, daily squabbles and everyday stresses of life. However, studies have shown that practicing gratitude actually reduces our stress levels and helps us to be better able to handle the difficulties that life so often throws us. For this very reason, below is a little cheat sheet on the art of practicing gratitude. You deserve a great life and being thankful for what you have is one of the quickest ways of getting that great life you so deserve.
Enjoy this list; use this list; incorporate this list. Oh yeah–and be thankful for this list ☺
1. Notice the little things. Tune into a kind smile, loving compliment, extra chore and even a statement of reassurance. Take the time to pay attention to the efforts made, deeds done and support given—and say, “Thank you.”
2. Appreciate nature’s beauty. Take the time to notice a beautiful sunset, vibrant fall leaves, green grass and blue skies. Comment on these as you pass them—this will train your eye to see and appreciate them more.
3. Be thankful for the BIG things. Don’t take ANYTHING for granted—there are always those who don’t even have life’s basics, so appreciate what you have when you have it. Be thankful for your health if you have it, a roof over your head if you are not homeless and family members who are still alive. Sometimes we forget to be thankful for what we have until we no longer have it—don’t make that mistake.
4. Value life’s endless lessons. Life has a funny way of teaching us things that we may not really want to learn—learn them. Be open to life’s lessons and see them as gifts—even if they’re painful at times. They are your greatest road to a better future.
5. Train yourself to see. Look for the lesson in every hardship, see the beauty in every day and appreciate the gift of each child. The world can be seen as dangerous and scary or amazing and full of gifts. Choose the lens that sees it as being full of gifts and you will be filled with abundance, not scarcity.
6. Verbalize your gratitude. Tell people you’re thankful for them. Say you appreciate the help when it is given. Let people know that their love and support means the world to you. Thank someone for taking the time to send you a kind e-mail, pat your child on the back for working hard and say thank you to your spouse for cooking/cleaning or helping. Don’t be stingy with the appreciation—it goes very far and means a lot.
7. Create a habit. Begin to strengthen your gratitude muscles by using them every day. Get a gratitude journal and write down five things you are grateful for each day. Commit to noticing and verbally expressing appreciation for three acts/deeds or things each day. Incorporate these things daily at the same time every day until it becomes a habit and a new way of stepping into the world.
Our world is full of amazing things when we take the time to notice them. Take the time. Gratitude is one of the biggest gifts you can give yourself. This Thanksgiving give yourself that gift. Appreciate all that you have done and be thankful for being alive enough to continue to make your mark on this world.
Challenge: Choose two items from the list above to incorporate into your life and do so consistently. After of a month of incorporating this, notice any shifts that happen. And finally, have a wonderful Thanksgiving to those of you who celebrate it and an awesome weekend to those who don’t. I am truly grateful to have each and every one of you be a part of my community—thank you, thank you, thank you!