Gratitude Should Not Be Saved for Thanksgiving
Gratitude is the best medicine. It heals your mind, your body, and your spirit. And attracts more things to be grateful for.
-Live Purposefully Now
Thanksgiving is a time for us to reflect on what we are thankful for, but giving thanks, and having gratitude is a wonderful daily practice. Gratitude should not be saved for Thanksgiving.
I am not saying giving thanks on Thanksgiving Day is a bad thing. Rather I want you to consider involving the act of giving thanks into your daily routine. “Why?” Well, research shows that people that are more grateful are happier and more satisfied in life!
Try These On
There are many ways to give thanks. So, all you perfectionists out there, remember there is no right or wrong way to do this! Yet, in case you are feeling stuck, here are three ideas, pick what fits:
- DINNER: Each night at dinner, go around the table and share three things about your day that you are thankful for &/or that you enjoyed about the day. This has been a great way to connect with my kids and find out more about their day without having to “pry” ?. Plus, it has taught them the practice of gratitude.
- JOURNAL: I like to have my clients start self-care practices when I work with them. One of them is daily journaling. For many of my clients, there is resistance because they do not know what to write about. I suggest they start by listing 5 things they are thankful for each day. This is a great way to get juices flowing and it often leads to more. The idea is to try to come up with different items each day.
- FIRST THING/LAST THING: First thing in the morning and last thing at night mentally (or out loud) make a list of what you appreciate. Run through your day and list everything, even the small things (i.e. having my coffee in the morning). If doing it at night, recall all the good things about the day’s event. If it is in the morning, appreciate the goods things that are to come for the day.
Real-life most often happens during the in-between times, when we are not celebrating a special occasion. My challenge to you is to remember the simple joys of those in-between times and appreciate them!
P.S. Did you enjoy this blog? Read more from Jessica’s Journal or watch Jessica’s Saturday Sessions.