#45: Using Action to Turn Thankfulness to Gratitude

Tis’ the season for thankfulness. Thanksgiving is later this week, and many of us will find ourselves sitting around a table with loved ones sharing reasons deserving our thanks. But thankfulness reminds me of gratitude and this impactful quote by Henri Amiel: 
 
“Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude.  Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness.  Thankfulness is consistent merely of words. Gratitude is shown in the acts.” 
Speaking about our thankfulness in reflection and sharing that with others is nice; however, acts of gratitude can be even more powerful. Gratitude is a simple, effortless habit that can help us live a happier life. Gratitude has played an important role in my life. 
Some of the benefits gratitude can afford you are: 

• Elevating your mood and motivation

• Increasing resilience and ability to cope with adversity 
• Finding the ability to live in the present moment more joyfully 
• Inspiring you to focus and make decisions 
• Lowering stress and anxiety 

So how can you cultivate more gratitude (and happiness) in your life today? Some simple tips you can apply are: 

1.) Pause and look around.  A first simple step to build the gratitude habit is simply to pause in your everyday life and to ask yourself questions like, “What can I be grateful for in my life today?” You don’t need a comprehensive list. Even if you can name one person or thing, that can be enough to put your feelings into perspective. 

2.) Look towards yourself. As difficult as it can be, don’t just look outward. A habit of being appreciative and grateful towards yourself is a simple way to help with self-confidence. Don’t make it harder than it has to be.  You can simply be grateful for your good sense of humor or the way you help others in your life. Take a closer look at the “small” things (or what you may be taking for granted).

3.) Don’t just focus on the big and obvious things you can be grateful for. Think about the small things that you can be grateful for too.

4.) Express your gratitude. Don’t just keep the gratitude on the inside. Express it.
Make other people happier too by expressing how you are grateful for them.  Acts of gratitude are contagious. And by connecting with others through gratitude, they may take and share that energy as well! 

“Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation of abundance”        -Eckhart Toll
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Be thankful and take that forward with acts of gratitude. Happy Thanksgiving, and I am thankful for your readership. If there’s someone you know who would benefit from this message, pass it on!

Until Next Monday…