November always seems like the
appropriate time to talk about gratitude so I’m going to just jump right on and
share too. In my last blog I talked
about gratitude as a skill or tool to be utilized to help us keep going when we
feel burnt out or when we feel like giving up. Although I feel like this time
of year is a great time to share gratitude it’s really something that is
beneficial to us everyday (on social media or not).
Okay so what’s practicing versus
just being thankful and why should I do it right? We’re all thankful for things
and randomly from time to time we think about them, usually around this time of
year, when something is pointed out or when it’s a big deal is when we
consciously think about it; Or at least for a lot of people. Well practicing
it… is intentional and moves a random thought throughout the day into a focused
mannerism of action.
In my best moments that I can look
back on and how I feel each day now when I practice gratitude the difference
changes everything in my world. Daily I
feel more energized and opted or
motivated to get up and do things like Piyo, Yoga, Run, or go the extra
mile in areas of my life that can unconsciously get ignored. It allows me to soak up what’s really good in
my everyday life and check the stuff that’s not. It takes the focus off what I don’t have and
places it on what I do have which really is phenomenal.
Intentionally focusing on what I am
grateful for allows me to be a better Mom period end of story. When I am grateful for each small moment or
little things in general it brings me back to the present moment, and really
allows for me to not only be here right now but it allows me to give myself
fully to the moment, and to my kids that means everything and at the end of the
day I feel like I did my job 110% or more!
It also means that I get to be more
specific and intentional with my time to use it to spend with my kids, to work,
to work out regularly and all really because they’re important enough for me to
be grateful for.
There’s a million ways to practice
gratitude, I think everyone has to find the way that works best for them, or
the way that allows you to feel grateful.
Here are a few things and a few resources off the top of my head. I have
done and do them all. I tend to switch it up from time to time just to keep the
practice fresh and remember why I’m doing it altogether. I usually do these things either at the very
start of my day or right before I go to bed, that way it’s focused, and allows
me the time for the reflection.
1.
The ABC Method ~ This is pretty simple,
basically I take a notebook or journal and write the abc’s down the page one
for each line. Then I write one to two
words for each letter of someone, or something that I am grateful for.
2.
3 Thoughts a Day ~ Also using a notebook or
journal write out in two or three sentences the specific things in my life I am
grateful for. This is the way that I am
currently practicing and I find that it keeps my attention fairly well through
out the day.
3.
Note Cards ~ Write down the top thing you’re
grateful for in the morning on a notecard and carry it in your pocket or
somewhere you remember it, and can look at it from time to time.
4.
Greatness Cards ~ I actually learned this one
from a client I worked with at one point.
This one serves a dual purpose and can be used for yourself and
relationships with other people. You
take out the card(s) and write down what you find to be great about yourself in
regards to your qualities; behaviors, actions, effort etc. (and the other
person) do not make it generalized. Place
it somewhere strategically.
5.
Symbology ~ This works well for a lot of people
who are able to keep continued focus without reminders of some kind. This
eludes to anything that you can carry in your pocket such as a marble or pendant
etc. that every time you place your hand in your pocket you think of something
you are grateful for throughout the day.
A lot of leaders and authors have
tools to practice gratitude also. Darren
Hardy’s website from his book The Compound Effect has a weekly gratitude
assessment that you can download for free. I utilize this also as it’s a great
refresher or even a great starting point to get in the habit. Go Gratitude is also a great tool for those
of you that are in touch with your email.
It’s a website that does have articles and every so often the send out
emails for a period of time that challenges you to assess you gratitude. The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin has a
lot of different tips, some of which will help you in this area also. You can
find the web links below.
“As we express our gratitude, we must never
forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. [Thanksgiving Day Proclamation,
1963]” ― John F. Kennedy.
Practicing and living this way has
shifted my perception, allowed me to grow, and changes the way I interact with
the world especially my loves my kids, and myself.
