Every year at Thanksgiving we have a tradition in my family: We all share something we are grateful for. Some years we have many things to express, some we are just happy to have each other. It feels good to go around the table and realize how even during the tough years, there is still so much to not take for granted.
Expressing gratitude is commonly practiced in the month of November. Too often we can become engulfed in the fast paced life we live and all that we want to achieve and forget to enjoy what we have already attained. Here are some ways for you to extend gratitude and reflect beyond the Thanksgiving Holiday. . .
Ideas to Express Gratitude
Gratitude Ritual – Make Recognition a Part of Your Daily Life.
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
John F. Kennedy
Take a moment every day to reflect on something you are thankful for from the day. This can be as simple as a door being held open, someone wishing you a good day, or a cup of coffee being purchased for you. Try creating a ritual of sharing it at dinnertime with your family (AND hearing from them!), or creating a gratitude journal to write in before bed, or even sharing a post on social media. Your recognition is sure to inspire others, and keep you happy knowing how much you have.
Express Gratitude – Tell Someone!
Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.
William Arthur Ward
Ever had someone do a small thing for you that just made your day? That extra bit of consideration may be habit for someone, but telling them allows them recognize that they are providing a value to you that you appreciate. Try writing a note to someone expressing all the things you are grateful for that they do. Or tell someone when they make your day easier in person or on the phone. You could also treat someone to coffee or a quick lunch when they go above and beyond to help you out. By taking time out to show how happy you are when others consider you, you acknowledge the action as well as the great things you have in your life.
Find Thankfulness for the Negative Things in Your Life
When we focus on our gratitude, the tide of disappointment goes out and the tide of love rushes in.
Kristin Armstrong
This can be one of the hardest and most powerful practices. Its easy to recognize what is going right and feel good about it, but harder to take the more challenging aspects of life and respond with grace. If everything was easy we would never know the sweet feeling of satisfaction!
Every time you complain, without realizing it you strengthen and reinforce a negative mindset. No solution is offered and frustration arises. This doesn’t feel good, and blocks our ability to see clearly all that we have to be thankful for.
The truth is, negative things help us refine and redefine the things we want in life. When we get something we don’t want, it helps us see more clearly what we do want and work towards it. It also helps us put the more positive aspects of our life in perspective. When someone is rude to you, thank them for the opportunity to practice patience and understanding. When you make a mistake, allow yourself to recognize and feel positive about how much you are learning. If you twist your ankle, recognize all the other joints that are working well and right for you, and can take the extra weight! The more you practice this, the easier it is and the more life will feel more fluid, rather then one fire after the next.
Science tells us that happier people are healthier people, and grateful people are very happy! Add some years to your life, beauty to your spirit, and positivity to those around you by taking this time honored tradition of Thanksgiving year round!
I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness – it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.
Brene Brown
I would love to hear from you. . . . What do you do to express gratitude? E-mail me at Support@uppal-insurance.com