Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays for all the usual reasons: it’s an occasion to stop our busy lives and break bread as we share a delicious traditional meal. It’s an opportunity to celebrate our freedoms in this incredible country and a moment to pause and think of others less fortunate. Thanksgiving is also a reminder that reflecting on my blessings is an important part of every day.
If you’ve read my articles and posts on LinkedIn, you’ll know that I believe in the transformative power of gratitude. A few years ago, I was at a very low point. One of the things I began to do was to focus on the things I am grateful for. Since then, I have made gratitude something I do every day – why? Because it makes me aware of how lucky I am, and by acknowledging life’s gifts and blessings, I shift into a positive mindset, even when I am having a bad day!
Creating a daily gratitude practice is one of the best things I have done for myself.
Here are a few pointers that helped me create a daily ritual:
It’s important to put some time aside for your gratitude practice. Try to make it the same time every day to create a habit. I like to do my gratitude session first thing in the morning because it sets the tone for the day.
Decide how long you are going to spend focusing on gratitude. Try to stick to that length of time. I started with just five to ten minutes a day, and now I do, on average, half an hour. (There are some great mindfulness apps to assist you with reminders that also have a timer function).
Part of my practice is to jot down the things I am grateful for. You might start with just one or two items on your list, but after a few minutes, you’ll see that list grow and grow. Gratitude is like a domino effect. Once you acknowledge one thing you are grateful for, the rest just keep coming!
It’s okay if you mix things up a bit. Your gratitude practice doesn’t have to be in the same place every day, and it doesn’t have to be the same way. Sometimes I’ll reflect on the things I am grateful for as I walk the dog or visit the farm in the early morning before work.
*I also want to point out that different folks might want to focus on a gratitude prayer or a meditation; I don’t think it matters what you call it – just make sure you set aside the time every day to be thankful for your blessings.
It’s easy to practice gratitude when things are going well, but it’s a lot more difficult when you are going through challenging times. During difficult times, you MOST need to introduce gratitude into your day.
There will be times when I am caught up in negative thoughts or emotions, and instead of going down the rabbit hole, I’ll counter the negativity with a few minutes of focusing on what I am grateful for. Doing this can shift the negativity into a more positive space.
Gratitude is the pathway to abundance. The more I give thanks for what I have, the more I receive health, well-being, and a feeling of peace.
Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.
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