November is a month for Thanksgiving celebrations across the US. Almost every nationality has its own day of “thanks.” But should we be only thinking of giving thanks one day a year or a few days, in a year’s time? Or should we be practicing gratitude daily? In this reading you understand why practicing gratitude is not just for Thanksgiving Day, it’s for every day!
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” — Albert Einstein
First, let us understand the difference between gratitude and thankfulness.
To put it simply, gratitude means you are grateful and you can show it in many ways, including reciprocating help, cooking a dinner, help someone without expecting the return of a favor, or buy someone a meal by helping strangers. Gratitude can be a way of life for someone.
On the other hand, thankfulness often means nothing more than saying the word, “Thank you”. Saying “thank you” is a good act, however, this action often happens after the person has received the benefits and it’s more like an automatic response.
Watch this video to learn more about gratitude. 🙂 It can also be found on my Facebook Group page, or on my YouTube channel.
Table of Contents
What Is Gratitude?
Gratitude is the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. Again, gratitude can be expressed by the act of feeling thankful either towards someone who has helped you or towards someone you want to help out because you know and understand the need behind your actions. Example: Let’s say someone bought you a gift for your birthday. When their birthday comes around, one will buy them one too. For some, this is due to their gratitude towards that person.
However, do not confuse with the person who buys the other a gift because that person felt obligated. Along with gratitude comes the feeling of thankfulness. When one feels obligated, that feeling could be tied with guilt. On the other hand, you could be serving Veterans a meal on Veteran Day because they went to war for us. You feel gratitude towards their act of kindness to fight for your rights and freedom.
“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” — William Arthur Ward
Where Can Practice Gratitude?
Home
So where are some of the places you can practice gratitude? Hmmm….how about starting at home? If you have kids and the house is a mess, be thankful the kids are healthy and are able to make messes. Take some time out of your day and play with the kids instead of cleaning.
Work
How about work? Do you feel like you are working super hard and getting nowhere, Or maybe you are overwhelmed at work and suffering from burnout? Try something new. If you are stuck in your current job, set obtainable work goals for yourself. They may not align with your workplace, but start small and achieve them for self-gratitude. You will be more thankful for earning the paycheck you worked so hard for.
Also, a small change in your workplace that is more positive for you may be something to consider. I was working a very stressful and overwhelming job where I was working in zombie mode just to get through the day. Then I was switched to another part of the workplace. This minor tweak made me more aware and grateful to be where I am now. Not to forget, no matter how bad it was, the positive was I was earning a paycheck.
Out and About
What if you are out walking and someone approaches you to buy something? Or you pass a homeless person? Do you acknowledge them? I do for the most part. If someone asks me to buy a paper to support their charity or if I see a homeless person, I might stop and carry a conversation or at the least acknowledge them. You just saying “no thanks,” shows them respect and that you at least acknowledge they are there. Remember, all people are someone’s parent, grandparent, sibling, spouse, etc. You never know their situation. A simple act of being respectful not only helps you as a person, but even the most minute thing to you could mean everything to that other person.
Gratitude can be free!
“Real life isn’t always going to be perfect or go our way, but the recurring acknowledgement of what is working in our lives can help us not only to survive but surmount our difficulties.” — Sarah Ban Breathnach
When Can You Practice Gratitude?
The answer is simple. You can practice gratitude anytime. When something is working for you and things are going your way, be thankful and have gratitude towards those things. When you start taking advantage of these situations or occurrences is when things no longer feel things are going your way and you are no longer grateful for them. Be aware, there is always someone else who wishes they were in our shoes, even on our worst day. Keep a positive frame of mind and be thankful and grateful for what you have, not what you do not have. Take time to acknowledge why the things you have are important in your life. When you have a positive mindset and acknowledge the things you have, you are more self-aware of their value, thus creating happiness, thankfulness, and gratitude. 🙂
The Benefits To Practicing Gratitude
- Gratitude increases mental strength.
- Gratitude improves self-esteem.
- Gratitude enhances empathy and reduces aggression.
- Grateful people sleep better.
- Gratitude improves psychological health.
- Gratitude opens the door to more relationships.
- Gratitude improves physical health.
How To Practice Gratitude
- Keep a gratitude journal and add to it every day.
- Tell someone you love them and how much you appreciate them.
- Notice the beauty in nature each day.
- Nurture the friendships you have, good friends don’t come along every day.
- Smile more often.
- Include an act of kindness in your life each day.
- Call your loved one more often.
- Cook meals with love, think of the people you will feed.
- Volunteer for organizations that help others.
- Spend quality time with those who are close to you.
- Remember to compliment your friends and family when they look good.
- Write a card to someone you haven’t seen in a while and tell them something nice.
- Add to your gratitude list daily, at least one more thing each day.
- When you think a negative thought, try to see the positive side in the situation.
- Commit to one day a week when you won’t complain about anything.
- Try to take note when people do a good job and give recognition when it’s due at work.
- Reward effort, if someone does something nice for you, do something nice for them.
- Thank the people who serve you in the community — the shopkeeper, the bus drivers, etc.
- Say thank you for the little things your loved ones do for you, things you normally take for granted.
- Post quotes and images that remind you to be grateful around your house.
- Call into an elderly neighbor and say thank you for their presence in your life.
- Embrace challenges and turn them into opportunities to grow.
- Be thankful when you learn something new.
See the growth opportunity in your mistakes. - Help your friends see the positive side of life.
- When times are bad, focus on your friends who are at your side.
- When time is good, notice and help others.
- Make gratitude a part of family life, share it with each other during mealtime.
- Practice gratitude at the same time every day to make it a habit.
- Focus on your strengths.
- Share the benefits of gratitude with family and friends.
Need some journaling prompts for gratitude? Click Here 🙂
Check out my store Rock Your Vibe Apparel!
Welcome to Rock Your Vibe Apparel. My goal is to design apparel that will make a statement! Its full purpose is for you to be happy, confident, and comfortable with who you are. These are a few basics necessary to being happy internally and eternally!
“Your life becomes a Masterpiece when you learn to master Peace. “~Unknown
Get your FREE “Be Your Best Self Course” HERE!!!
Get your FREE “BE YOUR BEST SELF” course here!
DO YOU WANT TO PURSUE LIFELONG HAPPINESS AND SUCCESS?
Discover the TOP METHODS many of the most SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE are using to MAINTAIN LIFELONG HAPPINESS and ONGOING SUCCESS, for FREE!
Click here to get your 10 Free video modules and get you on your way to a HAPPIER YOU!
Learn more from WTF, Wednesday Thought Forum
If you like this video, be sure to check out my YouTube channel for more self-growth information, interaction and to find WTF live every Wednesday at 7 pm EST.
You can also find me on Facebook.
Want more? Sign up for my emails…
Want more articles, tips, tricks, and hacks to read with your morning coffee? Sign up here to get the latest. I only send two emails a week.
Yes! I am on Pinterest too!
You can find me on Pinterest here!
