If people ever asked me for one key to a happier life, my answer would be gratitude. It seems so simple, and yet it has amazing transformative powers. Much of how we experience life comes from a choice of perspective. Gratitude firmly centers us in the Now and turns our focus to the positive. We find what we seek after all, so why not seek the good?
Create Time For Quiet
There is so much to appreciate in the world, but we can forget that fact amid the noise that overwhelms our lives. We spend a good part of our day in loud offices, automobiles, and crowded stores. We are on the go from one task to the next. Our senses are overwhelmed. Our thoughts are scattered and not focused on the present. We become stressed and our breath becomes shallow. These don’t create the ideal circumstances for a state of blissful gratitude to say the least.
Making time to be quiet and reflect is vital. Some of us meditate. Some go for walks. Some get a massage. Partake in whatever takes you out of “doing” for a while and gives you a quiet time of just “being.”
In that quiet space, allow yourself to breathe deeply and recharge. A practice of making yourself take deep breathes when you feel tension will help immensely. You’ll feel expansive and relaxed.
This quiet awareness helps us to be more centered. It helps us to be more present. It allows us to more easily see the blessings that are around us.
Keep A Book Of Gratitude
Keep a small notebook that you can carry on you. When you receive a compliment or kudo, write it down. When someone expresses appreciation for you or something you’ve done, write it down. When your family and friends say how much they love you, write it down.
You’ll begin to see the impact you have on others. You’ll begin to see yourself through their eyes of appreciation. At times when your inner voice is being a Negative Nelly you can pull out this book and read through the wonderful compliments and accomplishments. You’ll be amazed at how uplifting it is. You might even be surprised at how awesome you are!
Recognize How Easy You Have It
Take note of people with great struggles that have achieved incredible things and have a huge amount of gratitude for their lives. Let these stories make you grateful for your health, the home you have, the support structure of friends and family you have.
You can ever take it further and appreciate the basics we take for granted: heat, running water, electricity, cars, etc. Practice being more present as you go through the day and give thanks as you take advantage of your blessings.
Express Yourself
I love to write (yeah, obviously), so I will often write letters of gratitude to my family and friends. It is a wonderful gift to someone to let them know they are on your mind/in your heart. Reach out and let people know what you appreciate about them. Write them. Text them. Call them. Create a piece of art for them – a drawing, a painting, a song.
We all have talents. Use yours to express your feelings of gratitude toward someone. You’ll not only feel wonderful because you’re focusing on positive things, it will mean the world to the receiver. The gratitude will continue to flow.
I hope these will be useful for you, and I’d love to hear the ways you practice being grateful. Please share with me in a comment below.
Until my next post, I send you much love and many blessings. May you all know how grateful I am for the inspiration, wisdom, love, and laughter you bring into my life.
great post. i’m going to tell my wonderful husband and kids how much i love them as soon as they come in from playing outside.
(they’ve given me the afternoon to write.) thanks for this little reminder!
Thank you so much, Slushpilehero. I appreciate the read and comment. I’m happily envisioning your family and the start of a great weekend for you all.