Gratitude in Present Day - How to Find it, Use it, and Share it
Let’s be honest; some days are really difficult. That happened to me a week or so ago. I was feeling bad for myself - I had one of those days when nothing seems to go your way. Nothing was horribly wrong, but it just seemed like I could not gain any traction. Everything was ten times harder than it should have been- running into obstacle after obstacle in everything I was trying to accomplish.
When I decided I needed a change of pace, I decided to call a friend and catch up. She listened to me go on and on about all of my minor woes. After hearing my negativity aloud, I realized I needed a gratitude check in. With her help, I was able to shift my mentality and we quickly rattled off several things I could be grateful for: my health, my family and their health, my ability and freedom to learn, and more.
I have read again and again that the more you practice gratitude, the more you are grateful for, so I did some research on easy practices I could add to my own life to exercise my gratitude muscle. Here are three that I have added as part of my daily routine:
Make it a routine. For me, one of the times I find it easiest to practice gratitude is when I am running - especially when it is up a big hill and I am tired. By linking the expression of gratitude to an activity you do, you are more likely to remember to do it again next time you are doing that well-established routine. Some good routines to add your gratitude reflection to include: brushing your teeth in the evening, making coffee, when you are exercising, or a household chore like dishes or sweeping your floor.
No less than 3. Even on your worst days, you can find at least three things you are grateful for. Gratitude is more impressive in volume than in size - so you don’t have to save gratitude for when you win the lottery! Instead, express gratitude for the many small blessings that surround you each day - an unexpected perfect-weather day in November, your car needing less maintenance than anticipated, or your kids (or pets or significant other) doing a small act of service for you. Finding three per day will help you see more in each day to be grateful for and will help your gratitude muscle grow!
Be vocal about it. When you are feeling grateful for someone, or something someone did for you, share it with them! Pausing to tell someone how their phone call or text was a highlight of your day or specifically stating to your partner that their filling the car with gas truly made a difference in your life will not only make the other person feel acknowledged and appreciated, it will also make you feel good. Sharing specific positive feedback is a great way to make you smile (and feel even more grateful).
I have always been inspired by individuals who are able to find the silver lining even on the darkest of days. Those who are able to identify all of the positives that exist in their lives. I remain hopefully optimistic that I will continue to grow my own gratitude muscle and be able to join this elite community soon! Until then, I will remind myself to practice gratitude and find many things in my life to remain grateful for each day.
What are gratitude practices you employ on a daily basis?
