With season’s changing, school starting, and the new year lurking around the corner this can be a crazy time for many of us! As we aim to find a balance between all the little pieces that make up our day to day life, we often feel scattered and rushed. Being grateful is one of the best ways to embrace a positive, present life. When you’re grateful, it’s impossible to be negative. It’s also an excellent tool for staying in the moment. If you’re struggling to stay present, focusing on what you have to be grateful for can bring you back into the moment. Gratitude is more than being thankful… Gratitude means taking action and putting the thankful thoughts into practice. Here are 5 ways to be grateful today!
- SHOW GRATITUDE BY GIVING.
One of the best ways you can show gratitude is by giving — both to yourself and to others. You can give to yourself by being patient with yourself when you’re going through a difficult time, by caring for your body and your mind, by making choices that will make you happier and more fulfilled. When it comes to being thankful for others, giving back to them is one of the best ways to show your gratitude. You can give them time, patience, love, kindness. You can also give them physical things too if you’re able.
- SHOW GRATITUDE BY LISTENING.
The act of listening is a small act, but a very important one. We’re all bombarded on a daily basis with so much noise and information that it’s sadly becoming rare to give someone your full, undivided attention.
- SHOW GRATITUDE BY APPRECIATING.
Appreciation is a key component of gratitude. The word “appreciation” has two meanings, both of which are essential when it comes to practicing gratitude. First, appreciation means, “the recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something.” One of the best ways to cultivate gratitude is to embrace this first definition wholeheartedly. Look around you right now and take note of what good qualities can be spotted all around you (and within you too — self-love!). All too often we’re so busy and/or stressed that we fail to see how much beauty and goodness is all around us.
- SHOW GRATITUDE BY OBSERVING
Many times the hardest things we endure are also the most transformative and strengthening times as well. If we can seek out the things to be grateful for even when its hardest, we often can stay awake to the silver linings and opportunities we may miss otherwise.
- SHOW GRATITUDE BY EXPRESSING
Whatever you need to do to express your gratitude, do it. If saying “thanks” isn’t part of your daily routine, try it today. No matter how big or small the act, it’s important to express your gratitude for it to others. Not only does it let them know that you’re thankful, but it also feels really good to put kind words and actions out into the world. Whatever you need to do to express your gratitude, do it.
At every single moment, you are able to choose what you focus on. And what you focus on can have a huge impact on how you feel and act.
Today I ask myself do I need to answer emails while I eat lunch and throw the ball for my dogs or maybe slow down and appreciate all those things. The food on my plate, my dog in front of me, and the job I feel so lucky to have.
In deepest thanks to each of you ♡
September 1, 2016
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