Category: Gratitude

Gratitude

At the beginning of August, I am looking back on a few old blogs that have gone before. Since this month, I have been working on gratitude and happiness. I wanted to start with a part of a blog from December 10, 2019, on gratitude.

Gratitude is often defined as thankfulness for the things we have. Some will have more, and some will have less, yet everyone has something to be grateful for having, knowing, or feeling. We have the freedom given to us because of the work of others. We may also know someone and enjoy their company. These are two of the many things for which we could be grateful. Think of all the other positive things that have happened in our lives. These are also things to be thankful for.

Gratitude is a positive emotion that makes us feel better and motivates us. Thinking of what we’re grateful to have has the effect of inspiring us to go out and do good ourselves. Gratitude also makes us want to share what we have with others. The rewards for this, including joy, are truly inspiring and hopeful.

I am not saying you should give away the farm. Sharing some of what you have with somebody else helps everyone feel better. Personally, I believe it also inspires another option: hope.

As we begin the last few weeks of the year, with all the celebrations that various cultures have, it is helpful to remember the positives and share the good feelings.

Thank you for being with me today.

The Power of Gratitude: Finding Joy in Everyday Moments

Gratitude is a compelling emotion. It can bring immense joy and positivity to our lives. When focusing on why and what we have gratitude for, we can shift our perspective from negativity to positivity and find joy in even the most mundane moments.

Many cultivate gratitude using a daily gratitude practice. It can involve taking a few minutes each day to reflect on what you are thankful for, whether it’s the people in your life, your health, or the simple pleasures like a warm cup of coffee in the morning.

Another way to practice gratitude is to express it to others. Whether a heartfelt thank you to a friend or a kind gesture to a stranger, expressing gratitude can make others feel appreciated and boost our well-being.

When making gratitude a regular part of our lives, we find joy and happiness in everyday moments and cultivate a more positive outlook. So take a moment today to reflect on what you are grateful for and see how it can transform your day.

Use Positive Affirmations

Gratitude is a powerful emotion that could significantly impact your greatness. It can be a simple but effective way to improve mental health and boost happiness.

Keeping a Journal of what things you are grateful for helps.  Even if you start with a list, it is a start. Look at the small stuff. A hello, a smile, maybe someone holding a door open. It could be seeing a sunset, a kind gesture, or a delicious meal. Focusing on the positive things helps shift your mindset and helps improve your outlook.

Gratitude is also your appreciation for those around you. Take time to thank someone for something done for you, or simply tell the person how much you appreciate the person. Gratitude helps strengthen your relationships and increase feelings of connection and positivity.

Make gratitude a daily habit. Put it into your routines by taking a moment each day to reflect on what you are grateful for. Start with a few breaths and focus on the present moment.

Gratitude

In today’s fast-paced world, getting caught up in stress and negativity is easy. However, taking a moment each day to reflect on what and why you are grateful might shift your focus on something better than negative feelings. Thanking others is a simple yet powerful way to grow a positive mindset and improve your well-being.

When we show gratitude, we acknowledge the good in our lives and those who contribute to our happiness. It can help us feel more connected to others and foster community and belonging. It can also help us develop a more optimistic outlook, even in adversity.

To start showing gratitude, try setting aside a few minutes daily to reflect on what you are thankful for. Whether it’s a supportive friend, a delicious meal, or a beautiful sunset, take the time to appreciate the good things in your life. You can also try expressing your gratitude to others by writing a thank-you note, sending a thoughtful text, or simply saying “thank you” in person.

Making gratitude a daily habit can shift your focus away from stress and grow a more positive mindset. So take a moment each day to reflect on what you are grateful for and see how it can improve your life and the lives of those around you.

Take Time to Appreciate the Good Things in Your Life Every Day 

Having gratitude for the little things in your life and that you see going on around you is essential. Some people even keep a list of the good things they see happening.  

People who speak on happiness know to give advice suggesting that it is good not to end the day until you have noted something of gratitude for yourself or someone else that you witness in a moment of gratitude. 

Gratitude does not have to be given only for a significant gesture. I have seen people grateful for something as little as a stranger smiling at them and saying ‘good day’ when they were at the ends of their rope. 

Even when you are kind to yourself, isn’t that a moment of gratitude that you have the ways and means to take care of yourself and your needs? 

Gratitude is one of the steps on the path to feeling better and staying healthy. No matter how bad things get, a little appreciation can go a long way to making them better. 

Gratitude

Everyone has a reason to be grateful.  Did I wake up today, Great, I am very thankful that I did.  I count that as my first success of the day.  If I take the time to make my bed, it is the second success of the morning.  Hot water in the shower and I am on to the trifecta.

Gratitude is nothing more than the things we know are not guaranteed, and so, every time they happen (whether they usually do or not,) I am happy they did.  I am grateful for my wife and my kids.  I am glad they are happy and healthy.  I am thankful that I have a passion for life, and I have something I can use to help others.

Many people keep a gratitude journal, and they write down what they are grateful to have and do.  I am starting one.  Although I am 67, I am a little late to the game.  I am just thankful that I made it here.

I encourage everyone to set aside a little time each day to think of what went well for them that day. And think of what they were able to do for someone else that may have made that person’s day.  It does not have to be a lifesaving feat or an outrageously generous payment.  The simple, little things often mean so much more.  Think about it.

Thank you for being with me today. I hope to be with you again tomorrow.

Thank Goodness

I am so thankful for our weather today. Pure blue sunny skies and temperatures that promise over 36 degrees this afternoon. Beautiful days are not the only thing to be grateful for, I am thankful for much, and as we leave this year, we should take time to think of the things we are grateful for having.

I reminded a coworker today that I am glad that there are Mondays.  He asked me why, and  I explained to him that if there are no  Mondays, there would be no Fridays.  He did get the idea.

Yesterday, I was looking for rugs for my office. I went through a pile of rugs on sale at a local store.  I was looking for something that would fit the decor and still be within a limited budget.  I found a carpet and it did not have a price on it.  I started to walk around the store, seeking a place I could get a price scan.  I finally found one the next floor up.

The scan showed the rug to be over $200. It was too expensive.  I could have left the item at the cash register, except I had brought it up and I felt that I should take it back.  As I turned the corner into the aisle with the rugs, I saw something on the floor.  It was my cell phone.

When I was looking at the different area rugs, it had fallen out of my coat pocket.  I was so glad at that moment I had returned the carpet to where it belonged.  I would never have known where my cellphone was if I had not.

Deeds are what we make of them.  Do your best, and somehow that best will be returned in higher ways that we can hardly imagine.

Thank you for being with me today.  I hope to be with you again tomorrow.

Gratitude

This is a week of giving where I live. It is good to give.  Along with giving to others, we should also give something to ourselves.  Money turns out to often be a negative incentive. So, I would like to suggest something different.  I would recommend remembering and listing what you are grateful for having received.

Gratitude is often defined as thankfulness for the things we have.  Some will have more, and some will have less, yet everyone has something to be grateful for having or knowing or feeling. We have the freedom that was given to us because of the work of others. We have known someone and enjoy their company; and all the other positive things that have happened within our lives.

Gratitude is a positive emotion. It makes us feel better. We are happier when we think of the things we’re grateful to have had, and it inspires us to go out and do good ourselves. Gratitude for what we have also makes us want to share what we have with others. And again, there are great rewards for this, including joy.

I am not saying you should give away the farm. I believe that sharing some of what you have with somebody else helps everyone to feel better. Personally, I believe it also inspires another option. Hope.

As we begin the last few weeks of the year, with all the celebrations that various cultures have, I think it is helpful to remember the positives and share the good feelings.

Thank you for being with me today.  I hope to be with you tomorrow.