Everyone talks about gratitude and how it can make a difference in your life. What is gratitude anyway? According to the online Merriam-Webster dictionary, gratitude is “the state of being grateful: thankfulness”.
Gratitude is having an appreciation for what we have. It seems simple. There are hundreds of books on the subject. Courses are being taught. Whole websites are dedicated to gratitude. Why do we need to learn how to be grateful?
I have kept a gratitude journal for many years. It is one of the several journals I write in every day. I started doing it because I wanted a daily reminder of the little things I could appreciate. Gratitude became more important when I decided to re-join Facebook. I joined The Negativity Thinking Detox Challenge which was a free three-day event. I met the proprietor of the event, Michael Ian Cedar, a mindset/life coach based in New York City. From there, I joined his group The Gratitude Slam. I also signed up for the three-day Positive Mindset Virtual Retreat. This was a game-changer for me. I learned many valuable tools for setting and achieving goals. I also met the greatest people I could ever hope to meet. I have been a member of Michael’s “Life on Your Terms” community for several months and it has been one of the best experiences of my life. It is a community of amazing people who support and nurture each other’s growth and goals. It has brought a whole new level of gratitude to my life.
There is a Bible verse that I always remind myself of whenever times are difficult. It is 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you”. (KJV)
God wants us to be thankful in all circumstances, including trials. Difficult moments are meant to grow our faith and character. We should be grateful for them because they refine us as we learn from them and grow.
We are all facing battles in our lives. We can choose to give in to the pain or we can allow them to make us stronger people. And we can always be grateful because that’s the kind of attitude that gives us the strength to get through the battles.
If you struggle to feel grateful, try keeping a gratitude journal. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Just write out a few things each day that made you happy. It doesn’t have to be long-winded either. You could write down about the delicious bagel you ate for breakfast. You could write about a long walk you had with your dog. You could write about a song, movie, or book you enjoy. It can be anything that positively touched you.
Gratitude does make a difference. It’s not just a buzzword. It’s a way of life.
Join the Gratitude Slam and meet a group of wonderful people who will support and encourage you in your gratitude journey. Gratitude Slam | Daily Optimism Practice For Empathetic People | Facebook
Questions to consider:
What are you grateful for right now?
Who are you grateful for right now?
Where is a place you have visited that you are grateful for?
What food are you grateful for?
What book are you grateful for?
What movie are you grateful for?
What song are you grateful for?
What hobby are you grateful for?
What item of clothing are you grateful for?
What luxury are you grateful to have?
I love how much this means to you as a daily practice and also a source of community and well-being. I joined :) Thank you for the invitation!