With crisp blustery Fall days in full swing, and the Thanksgiving season right around the corner, my mind has turned to thoughts of gratitude. This season always makes me reflect inward as I snuggle under a comfy blanket on my couch with my pumpkin spice latte in hand. I feel a lot of gratitude on days like this. The question is, how do we practice gratitude on days when we don’t feel it as keenly because life is happening? Here are 15 ways on how to practice gratitude this season.
“When we focus on our gratitude, the tide of disappointment goes out and the tide of love rushes in.” Kristin Armstong
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- Keep a gratitude journal. Now I know that we have probably all heard this since it’s become a trendy thing, but the truth is that a gratitude journal is a list of things, reminders, of what you are grateful for. That list can be extremely helpful at times when you don’t exactly feel like your most grateful self. Open it up, read what you have written over time, and as all of your blessings are staring you in the face it’s hard to feel ungrateful.
- Write notes or cards to others letting them know that you appreciate them. When you give someone a note or card that tells them how grateful you are for them in your life, you are in turn blessed by both the giving of gratitude, as well as the acknowledgement of how blessed you are to have them.
- Encourage others with kindness. When you have waited in line for twenty minutes and finally make it to the cash register it can be tempting to be a little grumpy. Particularly if the customer in front of you had three returns and five items that needed looked up. The thing is, it’s not the fault of the person behind the register, and they have been on their feet all day and dealing with grumpy people. So be different. Be kind. You have enough money to pay for the purchase so be grateful. Being kind to the people you come into contact with each day makes you more aware of others and their struggles, which makes you feel more grateful for your own blessings.
- Start a quote box. When I was younger I collected quotes that were meaningful or inspirational. When I was having a hard day I would open up the box and read through some of the quotes. The uplifting quotes would inspire me and challenge me to focus on positive things instead of negative ones. It was very helpful and I have kept it all these years. Now I store things electronically of course but the concept is the same.
- Take time to say thanks before dinner. Whether in prayer or reflection take a moment at each meal time to express your gratitude for the food set before you.
- Give back by volunteering. There are so many worthy causes out there that all you have to do is pick the one that is most important to you and then give some of your time to that cause. Giving of your time to a cause you believe in attaches value to that time. As we approach the holidays many places will have more of a need than ever for volunteers. By making other peoples lives better in even the smallest way we often feel blessed in return.
- Play the gratitude game. A good friend of mine had a wonderful practice in her home as her children were growing up. Every night when they sat down at the table they would go around and each person would have to say something they were grateful for, or something good that happened in their day. Even if you don’t have children at home anymore this is a great way to bring an awareness of gratitude to your day.
- Take time to be grateful for the small things that are really BIG things. Through out your day acknowledge the things you are grateful for that we take for granted every day. Waking up. Teeth to brush. Arms and legs that move. A heart that beats. Feet to walk on. Sunshine. Fresh air. Food and water. This list could go on for a very long time. Each of these things can easily be overlooked or taken for granted, but if any one of these things were not to work, or happen, suddenly our lives would be very different. So take a few moments throughout your busy day to just reflect on those things and be grateful.
- Reach out to an elderly family member. Many of us have aging parents and some of us aunts, uncles, and grandparents (my own grandmother is 98) who live away from the rest of the family and may be especially lonely through the holidays. Take time to reach out to them and let them know you are grateful for them.
- Practice gratitude affirmations. Affirmations speak positivity out loud so that our brains hear it. What our brains hear repeatedly they believe. So every morning when you wake up practice saying several gratitude affirmations. For example: 1. My life is very blessed 2. I am grateful for all the blessings in store for me today 3. I am blessed with people that love me, a home to shelter me, and a job to support me.
- Practice forgiveness. If there is someone that you are feeling anger or resentment towards, whether that’s a co-worker, friend, or spouse, open your heart and mind to forgiving that person. We are all flawed and holding on to resentment only damages us and or relationships. So instead, make a list of the things you like/love about that person and the reasons you are grateful they are in your life. It’s hard to harbor hard feelings when you are practicing gratitude.
- See each day as a new opportunity and be grateful. Every morning we wake up we have a chance to change our lives and to change others lives for the better. Be grateful every day for the day you are in. When you wake up with this mindset the rest of your day will flow out of that place of thanksgiving.
- Show gratitude to other people. Buy a coworker a coffee unexpectedly, thank a police officer for their service, tip the waitress A LOT just because, bring an elderly neighbor a home cooked meal.
- Take a walk outside on a beautiful Fall day. Spending time in nature is magical. It lowers our blood pressure and cortisol and brings peace. In Maine our trees have already started changing colors as I write this. All along the road there are bright variations of the color red. In contrast to the bright blue sky overhead it’s stunningly beautiful. Just looking at something so naturally beautiful creates feeling of gratitude inside of me. We live on a beautiful planet. Spend time in nature to practice gratitude for our Earth.
- Take time at the end of every day to thank God for your blessings. Spending time in thankful prayer refocuses our perspective on everything. It builds our faith as we bring to remembrance all the ways God has blessed our lives. Ending your day in this way creates gratitude and peace.
There are many ways we can learn how to practice gratitude. It just takes some thought and a little bit of effort, but the rewards in our life will be great. I am grateful for you and hope this Thanksgiving season is filled with blessings for you.
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” -John F Kennedy
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