Thankfulness is the theme this time of year, so we thought you would enjoy this list.
Thanksgiving is a time to remember the things we have to be grateful for. It’s a special time to give thanks… not just for the obvious, like food, but for the thousands of fortunate moments, the multitude of blessings that we receive each year.
That’s not always as easy as it sounds, especially today. We tend to remember the bad things much more easily than the good. Below are some tips to help people who desire to make thankfulness an everyday habit. It’s a routine that will benefit throughout the year.
- Begin by keeping a gratitude journal. Try and stay away from writing down negative things; only positive ones. For example, “I’m grateful that I made it through that heavy rush hour traffic safely.” “I’m grateful that I got to see a beautiful sunset.” “I’m grateful that I have a class at school that I really like.”
- Think of all the good things that happened because something bad happened first. For example, “If that slow driver hadn’t pulled in front of me, I would have gotten a speeding ticket.” “If I hadn’t tripped on the playground, I would never have met such a nice person.” “If I hadn’t experienced unemployment, I would never have acquired the skills that got me a more fulfilling job.”
- Don’t focus on what you don’t have. Focus on what you do have. For example: “I’m so fortunate to have a warm place to sleep in at night.” “I’m so fortunate to live in a safe neighborhood where I can take walks.” “I’m so fortunate to be able to see the beauty around me.”
- Think about people you’ve known that have made you thankful for their existence. They can be family, friends or simply people that you’ve read about or seen on television. Imagine how many other people there are who might be equally as wonderful. You just haven’t met them yet.
- Think about people who have made life hard for you. Now think about the things you accomplished because of them. Did you finish something because they said that you couldn’t? Did you get better at something because they made fun of you when you did it badly? Did their cruel actions make you vow never to treat others that way? Even the negative forces in your life can be hidden blessings, worthy of gratitude.
- Think about the animals that have given you joy: Dogs that love you with every inch of their hearts, cats that think your lap is the best place to nap in the whole world, birds whose songs uplift your spirit, squirrels whose antics put a grin on your face and so on.
- Think about the places that make you smile: A favorite hangout, a wooded trail, an exciting city, a great spot from which to view the sky, a hill that you once rolled down. Give thanks for all these things.
Now pass it on. True gratitude involves action. Lend a hand. Pitch in. Make a gift. Give your time. Listen. Give back as often as you can. Even a friendly greeting can make all the difference in the world.
(Aspiring to be a) Happy Go Lucky Girl
