Connect with us

Gratitude

Embracing Gratitude -10 Steps to Creating a Life You Love

Embracing Gratitude -10 Steps to Creating a Life You Love

The more that you can embrace gratitude within your life, the more fulfilled you will feel. Creating a life that makes you feel thankful for the people and things in it will not only help you feel grateful for what you have been given, but you will also become a happier and more thoughtful person because of it. When you live in a world where you forget to take the time to feel gratitude, you will forever be focusing on the things that you don’t have, adding more stress to a world that can already be hard enough. Follow these 10 steps to remind yourself of all of the things that you have to be grateful for, and begin living a life that you love.

  1. Learn How to Say “Thank You” and Mean It

Every time another person does something for you, regardless of how big or small the act is, thank them for it. Thank the person who makes your coffee in the morning, thank your friends for doing you a favor, thank your boss for giving you a new opportunity. Each time somebody is doing something for you, remember that they don’t have to be doing it. Remember that they are going out of their way to do something that makes you feel better or makes your life easier, regardless of how it may affect them. Thanking them is a reminder to them that you are grateful, and a reminder to you that you are capable of embracing gratitude and recognizing the good.

  1. Write Down the Things You’re Grateful For

You don’t have to be good at keeping up with a daily journal to take note of the things that you are grateful for. Each time something happens to you that you are especially thankful for, make note of it. Whether it’s in the notes app on your phone or in your agenda at work, writing things down gives you the opportunity to reflect on them and help you remember the ways that you felt in the moment. Writing them down also gives you a record of all the wonderful things that happen to you and gives you the chance to look back and reflect on them on the days where you don’t feel as happy.

  1. Be More Mindful of Your Surroundings

It’s so easy for us to get caught up in how busy our lives are that we ignore the things that are happening around us. You may be busy at your desk all day but that doesn’t mean you can’t take a moment to look outside and watch a lovely sunset or smile as you see a dog walking on the opposite side of the street. Though we may easily get distracted by stress or worry about the things that we can’t escape, the world continues to move around despite this, and when we refuse to be mindful of what’s happening around us we may miss out on the beautiful little things that happen around us every single day.

  1. In the Midst of the Bad, Think of the Good

Even in the toughest of days there will always be something good that we can focus on, and if we can’t find it, then this just means we aren’t looking hard enough. A lot of things in this world are beyond our control, and there will never be anything that can change that. Instead it is up to us to re-frame our thought patterns and learn how to focus on the good despite the bad.

  1. Stop Stressing About What You Don’t Have

We will never have enough money, enough days off work, or enough time to spend with the ones that we love. While it is a tough realization, stressing about the things that we can’t change is a waste of time. Instead of worrying about the things that you don’t have, focus harder on the things that you do have. Sure, you may not have enough money to take your dream vacation, but you have enough money to your family and yourself warm and feed, and that will always be a blessing.

  1. Remember How Lucky You Are

Just like there will always be someone out there who is doing better than you, there are also always going to be those who are a lot less fortunate than you are. Many of the little things that cause us stress or prevent us from happiness are things that someone else in this world would cherish and be overjoyed to have. When you accept this concept, you can also begin to do something about those who are not quite as lucky. It can be as small as donating a little extra money around the holiday season to support a family in need, and not only will it make you feel a little bit better about your intentions, but it will put a smile on the face of someone who needs it more.

  1. Express Gratitude Whenever You Feel Gratitude

It’s easy to feel grateful and to ignore the feeling. Instead of letting go of how you feel, embrace it and express it. It can be in the form of a “thank you” or you can make it more than that by going the extra mile to prove how grateful you are for someone’s actions. These expressions not only remind the other person that you are thankful for them, but they also remind you to be thankful and to feel joy, prolonging the happy feelings you may have when feeling gratitude.

 

  1. Focus on the Now

You can’t change the past, and you never know what the future holds. Stressing out about things that we have no control over prevents us from thinking about the things that we have now and keeps us from feeling maximum gratitude.

  1. Be Kind to Yourself

Your relationship with yourself is the most important relationship that you will ever have, simply because you are the only person that you will need to spend all your time with. Remind yourself to feel gratitude over the things that you are capable of. Not only will this increase your self-love but will also serve as a reminder that you have the ability to provide for yourself and others.

  1. Spend More Quality Time with Those You Love

The more time that you spend with the people who make you the happiest, the happier you will be. It is so simple that we often take it for granted. Recognize the people who make you feel gratitude and joy and make the effort to surround yourself with those people. This quality time will also remind you to feel grateful for being able to have such strong relationships.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Gratitude

12 Ways to Feel Gratitude during a Pandemic

12 Ways to Feel Gratitude during a Pandemic

This past year has certainly been challenging for all of us in so many ways. There are times it is difficult to see the beauty around us when we are surrounded by challenges. This can be the same not only in a pandemic but during any crisis. The key is to focus on even small things to be happy about, as you feel gratitude for these things it will be easier to find even greater gratitude and happiness around you.

Personally right now as I am writing this I am truly grateful to be warm and cozy inside with about 18 inches of snow on the ground.

C:\Users\Autumn\Downloads\green_trees_on_mountain_during_foggy_day-scopio-49056467-d4a0-4966-89b8-bac2600db8aa.jpg

1 Beautiful Day

Being grateful for the day is an easy place to start. Is the weather nice? If it isn’t do you have the means to stay comfortable? Look for local birds or plants; think about how they impact the area you are seeing.

C:\Users\Autumn\Downloads\trees_on_snow_field-scopio-d5b99c3d-20d7-4265-8aee-20b4950464ad.jpg

2 Time in Nature

I have spent a lot of time walking just to get a change of scenery, to feel better and for my overall well-being. Luckily I leave a short driving distance from walking trails. Even sitting in a park or your yard can bring a sense of wellbeing.

C:\Users\Autumn\Downloads\woman_in_gray_sweatshirt-scopio-437266f5-1dd8-4994-bbb5-b3ef550f568e.jpg

3 Comfortable Cloths

I certainly spend more time in comfortable cloths than I ever have working from home exclusively. Maybe it’s a fuzzy pair of socks or a favorite sweater than can make you feel better even on a rough day. C:\Users\Autumn\Downloads\cat_and_dog_sitting_on_steps_next_to_door-scopio-f48d4ad2-93fa-4670-865c-4f38c7ec3175.jpg

4 Pets/Animals

If you have pets, be grateful for their love and company. If you don’t have pets, be grateful to that beautiful bird or cute squirrel that crosses your path.

C:\Users\Autumn\Downloads\person_holding_white_and_black_jigsaw_puzzle_piece-scopio-26912ac0-0cd7-4c3b-be31-d5284e616f2f.jpg

5 Games/Puzzles

Puzzles and games have helped family’s reduce boredom and spend time together. In a time with so many electronics getting back to these basic board games and puzzles has allowed a new generation to find old school fun.

C:\Users\Autumn\Downloads\person_in_blue_denim_jeans_and_white_sock-scopio-270c3eba-ac5e-4fc6-855a-e0e1b1dd84a4.jpg

6 Creativity

C:\Users\Autumn\Downloads\girl_sitting_in_chair_with_teddy_bear-scopio-214082dd-d414-4f09-826d-21cf73e02b67.jpg

7 Treasured Item

C:\Users\Autumn\Downloads\coffee_with_latte_art-scopio-91140baa-379f-4422-904c-d21e948abad7.jpg

8 Coffee

Coffee, tea this can be any beverage of your choice.

C:\Users\Autumn\Downloads\woman_doing_yoga_pose-scopio-689bfcb7-c240-4707-9cc2-ff0148940e02.jpg

9 Health

Be thankful for even a single portion of your health. Maybe you have great eyesight or hearing, maybe you are flexible, pick out one thing that makes you feel good about yourself.

C:\Users\Autumn\Downloads\family_walking_on_road-scopio-8d0de148-6ba1-4df5-869a-88e42ff174c9.jpg

10 Family

In these uncertain times spending time and being grateful for members of our family can be a key to our wellbeing. These people don’t have to be related to you by blood, just people you feel you can truly trust and rely on.

C:\Users\Autumn\Downloads\white_and_brown_concrete_building-scopio-1bdf491e-8828-45ab-b705-0b1ff001c3a0.jpg

11 Virtual Tours

Many museums are offering virtual tours. What a great way to see a museum you could never get to in the past. Something new in a world with far too many restrictions.

C:\Users\Autumn\Downloads\person_holding_book-scopio-b00caa85-5063-477f-b284-e0ef95477c25.jpg

12 Books

Many of us have more time at home than we ever have. Books can transport us into a new place or time. Whether you read paper copies, on a device or via audiobooks they can be a great way to relax. Find a new story, ready a biography of someone you admire or a book about a historical time period that you find fascinating.

Continue Reading

Gratitude

How to Start a Gratitude Journal You Can Stick With

C:\Users\Autumn\Downloads\person_in_black_pants_and_red_knit_cap_writing_on_white_paper-scopio-defdf0ae-5e80-46d8-b567-2f3260dfcf69.jpg

Creating a journaling routine can seem challenging at first if you have never done it before. Essentially you have to carve out a few min every day to sit and journal. There are a few guidelines though that can make it easier to create a habit.

1) Pick a time that tends to be your quiet time of the day. If mornings are busy getting off to work and getting kids off to school, trying to add journaling in then will never work. Maybe you carve out a few quiet moments at lunch or before dinner. For me my quiet time is in the evening before bed. I like to read and have some quiet moments. This is the best time for me to do my gratitude journaling.

C:\Users\Autumn\Downloads\woman_standing_near_analog_tower_clock-scopio-86b5394d-dfbb-49e4-9dbb-9676f17c441f.jpg

2) Find a journal book style and pen you really like. There are lots of sizes to choose from. If you want to be able to take it on the go, get something small enough to fit in your purse. A bigger size will work if you plan to leave it at home. Think about how you like to write – do you like lines, unlined, artwork? It may take a few attempts to really figure out what you prefer.

C:\Users\Autumn\Downloads\person_in_black_pants_and_red_knit_cap_writing_on_white_paper-scopio-defdf0ae-5e80-46d8-b567-2f3260dfcf69.jpg

3) Make it a habit. It takes 21 days to create a habit. So make a commitment to yourself to spend 10-15 minutes a day on your journaling no matter what for the next month.

4) Be Flexible. If you try evening and you fall asleep instead of journaling, try a different time. Wish your journal had lines? Or artwork? You can draw in lines or add stickers to decorate it.

C:\Users\Autumn\Downloads\young_woman_doing_splits-scopio-94799470-f362-4b64-ac46-3fff3c96820f.jpg

5) Expect the Unexpected. It may take a few attempts to really feel like you can make journaling stick.

6) If you already journal and just want to add gratitude journaling you can create a separate journal or just incorporate daily gratitude into your existing progress.

It’s ok to make mistakes, to try and try again to find what works. There is no right or wrong way to journal. The ultimate key is finding what works for you. If you stop for a while (sometimes life happens) it’s OK to pick up where you left off.

 

Continue Reading

Gratitude

Being Grateful while Social Distancing

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of changes around COVID–19.  This is a challenging and fluid situation.  It can be easy to get drawn in to all the negative situations and reports around us.  Many of us are isolated from friends and family.

Many people have lost jobs even temporarily, trying to work remote while entertaining kids who cant go to school, or have to go into work in spite the health risks.  My heart goes out to all the people working in health care and all the sacrifices they are making.

Take time for yourself.  Write in your journal.  Find some new things to be grateful about. Myself I am working from home with my daughter who had surgery and could finally attend school, the day they closed it.  I was on a conference call today and one thing said was really inspirational.  Its OK to feel, stressed or be upset with everything going on but do one thing every day that makes you feel good.  I love to walk on a local trail, so weather permitting I plan to do that as my daily gift to myself and my mental health.

Three figures on brown surface

Home with family? This is a great time to re-connect with your household, play a board game, watch a movie as a family or just talk.  Many schools aren’t set up for on-line learning.  Its a great time for the kids to learn some basic life skills.  Cook a meal or have them follow a recipe (depending on age) with your supervision, show them how to balance a checkbook, do laundry or hem a pair of pants.

Burger on brown wooden chopping board

No Kids? If you are with a partner spend some quality device free time together.    If you are alone? Do that on-line class you never get to, work on a project you’ve had on your list for a while or do a video happy hour with a friend.

Be grateful for the health care workers out there every day trying to help and for friends and family pitching in to watch children so those workers or others like them have to go into work right now.

Still getting your regular paycheck? Help the local businesses by buying gift cards if they have to close to use later and get takeout from local restaurants to help support them.  Do what you can to help from a safe distance.

 

Continue Reading

Trending