Is gratitude part of your daily activity?
December 5th, 2012 by Morna
I love to read license plates and decipher the message from the words. Here’s the plate I saw on Saturday.
GVTHANX. Give thanks. It’s a simple message, only how many of us do this on a regular basis? I remember learning about “Thank yous” as a child. Who else remembers Captain Kangaroo and the magic words?
You can also find books that focus on this. A favorite is Thank You Power: Making the Science of Gratitude Work for You by Deborah Norville. A new one that’s now on my Christmas list is Help, Thanks, Wow: The Three Essential Prayers by Anne Lamott.
I know we’re more aware of this concept during the holidays, and it’s a good habit to practice all year round. When you take the time to focus on what you are grateful for, you’ll find more happiness in your life. You’ll also begin to see more of what you are grateful for show up in your life. You’ll find yourself more resilient and even less stressful. Positivity all around!
Here are three tips for adding a gratitude practice to your life:
1. Keep a gratitude journal. At the end of each day write down three things that you were grateful for during the day. They don’t have to be big. One can be as simple as watching the sunrise or the laugh you got when your dog chased his tail. Periodically go back and read what you’ve written.
2. Set aside a few minutes every morning to hold a silent gratitude session. Think about what you are grateful for. Think about those people you are grateful for.
3. As you go through your day, look for times you can say Thank You and do so. These can be little gestures. It makes a difference to you and the other person.
4. If you think of someone and the difference they’ve made in your life, take time to call or write and let them know.
Here’s one of my favorite quote about gratitude:
Practicing gratitude will make a significance difference in your life. Please share your thoughts below.
