Attitude of Gratitude
My mother used to instill in us an attitude of gratitude. I truly did not fully understand that until I really began to practice it and write it each day.
I have learned that Gratitude is a practice that can help us go from negative thinking, fear, and scarcity and replace those suffocating feelings with positive thinking, faith, abundance, and hope. Moreover, Gratitude is for everyone at any time. An attitude of gratitude costs nothing, requires nothing, and you can practice at any age, anywhere in the world, at any time, with or without people. You can think it, write it, type it, say it, and share it. I highly recommend doing all of the above, but the written form done daily is powerful, let’s explore this more.
How to Practice an Attitude of Gratitude
I have been practicing gratitude for a long time. I used to record in a journal, and there were days or weeks I would be consistent and other times I would abandon it like all the other practices (because that is what we do as humans). I had the good fortune more than 6 years ago to begin practicing daily gratitude with an amazing group of women online. These women were all strangers, and from all over the country—in this daily group practice, we became friends, cheerleaders, and lifted each other up in the daily ups/downs of life. We had a common bond, and gratitude was our way to check-in, and also stay grounded in the most loving mindset, even if life was hard, in fact, that was even more reason to find gratitude in each day—it truly can turn things around.
Begin Today
List 5 things you are grateful for. You can write it out, you can type on your computer. Just make sure you do this daily, 5 things.
Include the Big Things
Be sure to randomly choose the big things, your health, your family, your home, the food you eat (I think now we are reminded how blessed we truly are).
Include the Simple Joys
Coffee, fresh air, chocolate, clean sheets, Netflix, sun on your face, music, (what ever simple joy means to you in your life) etc….
Practice by Yourself or Practice in Community
If you decide to do it in community, just find a few friends that want to come together to practice an attitude of gratitude. The easiest way is to set up a private FB group (gratitude group), and each person posts 5 things they are grateful for that day. Simple. No obligation, but encouragement to post every day, 5 things. This accountability and support is amazing, and it helps encourage a great mindset every single day. Also, it is inspiring to hear what others are grateful for, you get ideas, you get perspective, and you feel connected and “in it together”. Start your GG group today!
Share Your Attitude of Gratitude
Speak gratitude into those around you. “How Blessed are We”.
“I am so glad that….”, "I am grateful for”, ask “what are you most grateful for”. I think this is a great conversation starter at dinner, not just for Thanksgiving, but family dinner, and yes, if you have teens and they are like mine, they may make fun of you, we usually need to break into a few rounds of humor. In our family, I am constantly trying to redirect, I acknowledge the disappointment, and I do what my mom did, “it could always be worst”, at least you get to “XYZ”. There is always silver lining or light. Look for it, and move yourself and those around you in that direction.
Let this be the birth of your gratitude practice or a consistent practice for you.
To begin, write 5 things you are grateful for….. Then do it again the next day, then the next day and keep the attitude of gratitude going….
I am grateful for you! XO