Gratitude is the act of recognizing that blessings and benefits in our lives do not just happen. Gratitude is a recognition of the various kinds of sources for everything we have and experience. This recognition is usually an unfolding process as we notice and learn to appreciate the intricacies of how things are bound together.
Gratitude is a two fold process of
1) acknowledging all the many and varied sources of influence on who we are, on what we have, and on what we experience.
2) an expression of thanks for the contribution toward these blessings.
When we are overwhelmed with problems and difficulties and worries, we often lose sight of the blessings we do have, and we often neglect to express thanks to those who have contributed. When we take time to focus on the blessings in our lives, we become more sensitive to noticing even more blessings than we had previously realized were in our lives. When we take time to focus on these blessings we are much more prepared and likely to remember to thank those responsible. When we take time to focus on these blessings we begin to recognize that even things that we have assumed were curses or obstacles, have an element of blessing in them. When we take time to focus on these blessings we open our wondrous minds up to new possibilities of using the blessings in our lives to address the troubles and obstacles.
Many people find it extremely helpful to keep a journal of the blessings that they recognize.
Many people find wondrous new blessings when they start to write thank you notes to those who have been a channel of blessing.
Many people find a prayer life renewed or transformed when they begin their prayers with Thanksgiving, or even devote specific prayer time solely to prayers of Thanksgiving.
Many people find that a regular practice of gratitude meditation helps them to live a more full and calm life.
Many people find that when they develop the practice of thanking others, relationships that had been difficult become more supportive and rewarding.
Gratitude is a two fold process of
1) acknowledging all the many and varied sources of influence on who we are, on what we have, and on what we experience.
2) an expression of thanks for the contribution toward these blessings.
When we are overwhelmed with problems and difficulties and worries, we often lose sight of the blessings we do have, and we often neglect to express thanks to those who have contributed. When we take time to focus on the blessings in our lives, we become more sensitive to noticing even more blessings than we had previously realized were in our lives. When we take time to focus on these blessings we are much more prepared and likely to remember to thank those responsible. When we take time to focus on these blessings we begin to recognize that even things that we have assumed were curses or obstacles, have an element of blessing in them. When we take time to focus on these blessings we open our wondrous minds up to new possibilities of using the blessings in our lives to address the troubles and obstacles.
Many people find it extremely helpful to keep a journal of the blessings that they recognize.
Many people find wondrous new blessings when they start to write thank you notes to those who have been a channel of blessing.
Many people find a prayer life renewed or transformed when they begin their prayers with Thanksgiving, or even devote specific prayer time solely to prayers of Thanksgiving.
Many people find that a regular practice of gratitude meditation helps them to live a more full and calm life.
Many people find that when they develop the practice of thanking others, relationships that had been difficult become more supportive and rewarding.
Try one of these practices:
1) Start or renew a practice of Gratitude Journaling. Choose a book that is large enough to write legibly in, but small enough to carry with you to where you are likely to write in it. Choose a book that is pleasant to look at and to hold. Choose a writing instrument that is comfortable in your hand and easy to use. Choose a comfortable place in which to write. Choose a time of the day that works best for you. Commit to writing something in your Gratitude Journal every day, no matter how short the statement is, or how trivial the blessing seems for which you are thankful. Be kind and gentle with yourself when you fall short of your goal of daily writing, and start again the next day.
2) Start or renew a practice of writing Thank You notes. Purchase a box of note cards. Dedicate a place (on paper or on an electronic device) in which to log your Thank You notes. You only need a brief description of: to whom you write, when and why. Commit to writing a Thank You note to someone different at a regular interval that seems manageable to you. Daily is a great goal, but if this seems too large of a challenge at this point, back off some, but it will work best if the frequency is no less than 1 per week. Any less and there is a slim likelihood of maintaining the practice. Again, as with the journaling, write a note to someone thanking them for something, no matter how trivial the blessing or deed may seem to you. You may be surprised at the positive reactions you will encounter, and you may be surprised at how you grow in your understanding of how "non-trivial" some of these "trivial" things may be.
3) Start or renew a practice of gratitude meditation. Your Wondrous Mind can help guide you with recorded guided meditations.
4) Start or renew a practice of devoting time of prayer to solely Thanksgiving.
1) Start or renew a practice of Gratitude Journaling. Choose a book that is large enough to write legibly in, but small enough to carry with you to where you are likely to write in it. Choose a book that is pleasant to look at and to hold. Choose a writing instrument that is comfortable in your hand and easy to use. Choose a comfortable place in which to write. Choose a time of the day that works best for you. Commit to writing something in your Gratitude Journal every day, no matter how short the statement is, or how trivial the blessing seems for which you are thankful. Be kind and gentle with yourself when you fall short of your goal of daily writing, and start again the next day.
2) Start or renew a practice of writing Thank You notes. Purchase a box of note cards. Dedicate a place (on paper or on an electronic device) in which to log your Thank You notes. You only need a brief description of: to whom you write, when and why. Commit to writing a Thank You note to someone different at a regular interval that seems manageable to you. Daily is a great goal, but if this seems too large of a challenge at this point, back off some, but it will work best if the frequency is no less than 1 per week. Any less and there is a slim likelihood of maintaining the practice. Again, as with the journaling, write a note to someone thanking them for something, no matter how trivial the blessing or deed may seem to you. You may be surprised at the positive reactions you will encounter, and you may be surprised at how you grow in your understanding of how "non-trivial" some of these "trivial" things may be.
3) Start or renew a practice of gratitude meditation. Your Wondrous Mind can help guide you with recorded guided meditations.
4) Start or renew a practice of devoting time of prayer to solely Thanksgiving.