Gratitude as a Practice
Nov 24, 2022
Have you ever thought, “I should be grateful?” You may have noticed that the obligation of that thought isn’t always inspiring. Instead, I might offer gratitude as a practice that you get to choose to cultivate over time. Why might this be useful? We all have a negativity bias as humans. Yet, this negative outlook in the modern world doesn’t necessarily keep us safer; it just sucks our joy.
You get to choose gratitude regardless of what else is going on.
Here are some ideas to cultivate a daily gratitude practice that could help you to maintain a happier outlook over time:
Connect the act of putting your feet on the ground as you get up each morning with a thought of gratitude such as, “I get to choose to be grateful for today” or “I’m grateful for my breath.”
Put a sticky note on your bathroom mirror that reminds you to be grateful for something simple, like these examples: “I’m grateful for warm water,” “I’m grateful for my coffee,” or “I’m grateful for my kids/my pets.”
Put a journal by your bed and write down three things you are grateful for before you go to bed. These can be big or small. Try this journaling exercise for 21 days and see if you notice any patterns or shifts in your feelings.
Play gratitude ping pong: with a partner, name something you’re grateful for, then the other person names something they’re grateful for, and go back and forth as long as you’d like. Hopefully, there will be smiles and laughter as you play with this.
Let me know if you try any of these. I want you to know I am grateful for YOU!
