Each year in November we are reminded to be grateful for the life and liberty we have through the celebration of Thanksgiving. We are reminded of the sacrifices of our ancestors, and of the noble history of our nation. Who isn’t grateful for a chance to get together with family and friends to share a big meal and good times?
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” – John F. Kennedy
What happens after the celebration?
Black Friday get you going? It’s good to be grateful for material stuff too! But what about our everyday lives? Are you grateful to wake up regardless of rain or shine? Do you feel the joy and wonder of each day despite the problems that come and go? Or do you grumble and complain about every little thing?
“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.” – Denis Waitley
Being thankful every day is a spiritual discipline, something that can be learned through practice. Everyone has the nature to be grateful but we easily decline into negative feelings. For some people those unhappy and ungrateful feelings become habitual thought patterns.
Being Grateful is a Choice
A gratitude practice can be as simple as 5 minutes of meditation every morning focusing on, “What do I feel grateful for in this moment?” (I look at my plants, my pets, and my home and feel grateful that I can be in this space.) A similar practice at night can release the day’s tension and allow for a more restful sleep.
“I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness – it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.” – Brene Brown
We take a lot for granted, like our 5 senses, or the fact that we have functioning hands and feet, or that we can breathe. Imagine the struggles of people who are physically impaired, ill or struggling to stay alive. Or imagine the suffering of children who are unloved, abused or neglected. Then look at your life again and be grateful for the smallest thing, or the everyday things and people around you.
“Sometimes we should express our gratitude for the small and simple things like the scent of the rain, the taste of your favorite food, or the sound of a loved one’s voice.” – Joseph B. Wirthlin
Be thankful for your struggles
The hardest part of gratitude is being thankful for all the difficulties that come our way. We can even end up being resentful. “Why does this
have to happen to me?” Do you want it to happen to someone else?
A trouble, a problem, a struggle, an offence, a heartbreak is a new opportunity to grow, to learn, to become a bigger and better person. It’s often hard to see that in the midst of the problem. We just want the problem to go away.
“Often people ask how I manage to be happy despite having no arms and no legs. The quick answer is that I have a choice. I can be angry about not having limbs, or I can be thankful that I have a purpose. I chose gratitude.” – Nick Vujicic
When we can experience gratitude even for the trials and tribulations that life brings, then we are truly creating the Kingdom of Heaven where God can dwell in our midst.
Being grateful doesn’t mean that you never get angry, upset or sad. It simply means that you have the power to overcome negative emotions and live joyfully again. Not in a superficial way, but in a way that’s rooted in God’s heart.
Gratitude Makes Life Better
“Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.” – Zig Ziglar
Don’t take my word for it. Below is a link to a great article on the Happier Human (happierhuman.com) of 31 ways that gratitude will make your life better. Here’s a list of some of the topics covered:
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Republished from “The 31 Benefits of Gratitude”: http://happierhuman.com/benefits-of-gratitude/