How to Develop a Practice of Gratitude

The practice of gratitude as a tool for happiness has been around for many years. Long-term studies support gratitude’s effectiveness, suggesting that a positive, appreciative attitude contributes to greater success in work, better health, peak performance in sports and business and a higher sense of well-being.

So, if everyone acknowledges gratitude’s many benefits, why is it so difficult to sustain. So many of us are trained to notice what is broken, undone or lacking in our lives. And for gratitude to meet its full potential in our lives, it needs to become more than just a “Thanksgiving” or greeting card word. We have to learn a new way of looking at things, and create a new habit. which can take some time.

That’s why practicing gratitude makes so much sense. When we practice giving thanks for all we have, instead of complaining about what we lack, we shift our perspective by giving ourselves the chance to see all of life as an opportunity and a blessing.

Gratitude isn’t a blindly optimistic approach in which the bad things in life are whitewashed or ignored. It’s more a matter of where we put our focus and attention. Pain and injustice exist in this world, but when we focus on the gifts of life, we gain a feeling of well-being. Gratitude helps balances us and gives us hope.  Here is a list I recently found of some ways to begin a practice of gratitude.

Tips to Practice Gratitude

•  Keep a gratitude journal in which you list things for which you are thankful. You can make daily, weekly or monthly lists. Keeping your journal where you can see to remind you to think in a grateful way.

•  Make a gratitude collage by drawing or pasting pictures.

•  Practice gratitude around the dinner table or make it part of your nighttime routine.

•  Make a game of finding the silver lining in a challenging situation.

•  When you feel like complaining, make a gratitude list instead. You may be amazed by how much better you feel.

•  Notice how gratitude is impacting your life. Write about it, sing about it, express thanks.

As you develop your practice, an inner shift begins to occur, and you may be thrilled to discover how content and hopeful you are feeling.

Having a sense of more fulfillment in your days is gratitude at work.

Author’s content used with permission, © Claire Communications

Change Your Perspective to Re-Energize Your Days

To keep a lamp burning you have to keep on putting oil in it” is a favorite quote of mine by Mother Teresa. It is powerful and a simple quote and serves as a reminder of the need to re-energize ourselves. In today’s world, most of us run around with our tanks on fumes for long periods of time and that’s not healthy! We get stuck in the perspective of “the way it is” and tell ourselves to keep going. When this happens life and events start to run us and our spirit is dimmed.

Recently, I was reminded of how important “me time” is to my physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Why I was laughing, sleeping and eating on a girl’s week-end, life continued on without me… the house was still intact, my kids did not starve, my work projects were still waiting for me and the dogs survived without my pampering. Most importantly, I returned recharged and with a new perspective on life and work.

It would be nice if we had a warning light like our cell phones that tell us “low battery” to remind us it’s time to re-charge. The endless to-do’s and should do’s drain our tanks and we tell ourselves “it will slow down after x”.

I invite you to stop making excuses (pretty harsh hey?) and take some time for you NOW. Summer will be here before you know it and schedules will change so now is a great time to take a break. You might be thinking well I cannot just pick up and go on a trip. The good news is you do not need to—a shift in your perspective will begin the re-fueling and refresh process.

One way to change perspective is to step back or get above the details. I am talking about taking a moment to relax, gain clarity and re-fuel to keep you going and burning bright. Whatever your pleasure; a day at the beach, a good book, a hike or a night away because we all need time to recharge ourselves.

Here are some steps to get you started:

1. Clear the mental clutter– Grab some paper and a pen and de-clutter your mind. Write down everything you’re thinking about big or small. Just write, you can organize later.
2. Give yourself permission—Release any guilt about making time for yourself and fill your mind with relaxing and rejuvenating things.
3. Plan and Schedule the time- Put the day away! Mark the calendar!
4. Tell someone- You increase your chance of doing something if you tell someone
5. Be present in whatever you decide to do!

We are most powerful and bright when operating on a full tank.  Shine On!