It’s Thanksgiving week here in the U.S.
And whether you’re in the United States or on the other side
of the world, we all have much to be thankful for.
However, while the typical American Thanksgiving gathering
tends to be about family, food and football, simple gratitude
seems to get lost in the busy-ness of life.
And I’m not talking about the typical, “I’m grateful for…” list
that we see and hear around this time of year.
Make no mistake. We SHOULD be grateful for things like home,
family, food and the other things that we cherish.
(We might also do well to be thankful for those things we DON’T
have, but that’s a topic for another time)
But consider something beyond the sentiments expressed around
a table that looks like something from a Norman Rockwell painting.
I’m inviting you to develop a gratitude lifestyle.
Gratitude is the springboard from which abundance is received.
Like it, agree with it, understand it or not, it’s the way it is.
Think about it for a moment. Imagine you have two children,
siblings, or friends that you give an amazing gift.
The first barely mutters a thank you, takes it for granted and
it’s not long before your gift is in a pile of trash.
The second, however, not only thanks you for your gift, but
continues to demonstrate how grateful they are by taking care
of it and enjoys it for a long time.
Which one would you be more inclined to spend your money on?
No brainer, right? It’s only natural to be more inclined to
give…and give abundantly…to the one who’s grateful.
God, the Universe, Natural Law…whichever works for you…is the same.
And the good news is, with practice, living a lifestyle of
gratitude can become natural.
Here are a few suggestions to get you on your way…
- Make Time for Solitude
It can be as little as 15 minutes, but spend some time alone with
yourself. Find a peaceful place, indoors or out, where you can
get quiet and just “be”. Breathe deeply and slowly. Count your
breaths, if you like. Begin to become aware of all that’s been
given you. - Think About All You Have to be Thankful For
It’s pretty basic, but you’re alive! You were given more time to
do what it is that you love to do. Think about your talents and
abilities. That you have a body, with all its limits and frailties,
that works. (the very fact that you’re able to breathe in and out
attests to that) - Suspend Judgment
Many people fall into believing that they haven’t thought of enough
or that gratitude for something like opposable thumbs or the fluid
around our eyes is “silly”. Don’t judge your thoughts (or lack thereof).
Let them flow. - Wash, Rinse, Repeat
Make a firm commitment to yourself to make time each and every day
for a quiet gratitude session with yourself. Doesn’t matter if it’s
the first thing in the morning, before you go to bed or anytime in
between. Just carve out the time that works best for you…and do it.
Soon, you’ll begin noticing “reasons” to be grateful throughout your
day.
The point is to spend time each day being grateful for what you have
rather than complaining about what you don’t.
You’ll be amazed at the difference developing a lifestyle of gratitude
can make in your attitude and ultimately, your life.
(A note about keeping a gratitude journal: Some people really enjoy
writing their thoughts down each day in a special journal. If this
appeals to you, by all means do it. Others, however, view keeping
a gratitude journal as yet one more task/obligation to add to their
already busy lives and eventually begin avoiding the activity
altogether if a journal is a component. I say do whichever works
for YOU. Even if you like the thought of a gratitude journal
initially and then decide it’s not for you, that’s OK, too.)
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