Over the past year, I have become a huge fan of the goal setting, self-improvement, and self-care movements that we've all seen become more popular. One of the easy tricks that I have picked up along the way is the concept of a gratitude list. After trying this out for myself, I can whole-heartedly say that I believe everyone should adopt what I like to call 'the gratitude attitude', and make gratitude lists an essential part of their day.
Let me tell you about a few things I have noticed after adopting this practice for myself.
1. Even when it's a bad day, gratitude lists help make it a better one.
Even on your worst day, there are still more things than you can imagine to be thankful for. It is so darn easy for us to get wrapped up in the inconvenient, frustrating, and challenging things that happen to us in our day to day life. Thankfully, I have found that gratitude lists can truly help make some of those burdens we carry, feel just a little bit lighter. It will become more difficult for you to focus on negative things if you spend more time filling your mind with the things you appreciate. Next thing you know, the bad day you thought you were going to have, will have been wonderfully re-centered by your new mindset and gratitude for life.
2. I feel happier.
How could you not feel like you've got a little more pep in your step if you're starting off your day thinking about all of the things you're grateful for? It's almost like gratitude is the magic pill that sometimes we all need to take. Practice being thankful, and your mindset will change. Religiously using that gratitude part of your brain will not only make your ability to appreciate stronger, but in the end, make you feel happier! When you open the door for yourself to be happier, you'll find yourself walking through it, and likely leading the way for others as well. I have found this to be true for me, and I hope that it can be true for you as well.
3. The small things turn into big things to be thankful for.
When doing these lists, I have found that it's important to list the really small things in life that you are thankful for. It is easy to be grateful for the weather or the just the opportunity to live another day, but what about the stranger that smiled at you on campus just because? Or the extra 30 minutes you got to sleep in? Practicing the skill of the being grateful for the little, or even inconvenient thing is sometimes difficult, but that's where the gold is. The more you do it, the more you realize that there's more good than bad on most days.
Start today!
When you practice looking for the good, the good will eventually come easier to you. Sometimes it even feels like you are attracting it. Go ahead, start today! Write down 10 things that you are grateful for, and keep at it. Get yourself a journal or notebook, and fill that sucker up so that eventually you can flip through and realize all the wonderful things that your life has given you. The gratitude attitude changed a lot for me, and I hope that it can do the same for you.
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