Posts

Living In Gratitude: It Is Impossible To Be Grateful And Depressed

It is impossible to be grateful and depressed simultaneously.

And when we are feeling down, one of the quickest ways to boost our spirits is to reflect on what we have to be grateful for. Even when our days are darkest, there is always something we can appreciate. Really.

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Gratitude To The People We Care About

Giving thanks. It’s easy to forget and it’s easy to take for granted those people in our lives who we truly care about. When we tune in and feel gratitude it opens our hearts and brings us to a plane where true joy happens.  The most important place to feel and express gratitude is in our most important relationships. Yet, often we take those relationships for granted. What would happen if we took a few minutes each day to give thanks to our partners, children, family? I think that a lot of insignificant gripes would drop away. Seeing and expressing gratitude has a way of moving us to step back, see the bigger picture and remind us what we really want. Open your heart. Give thanks. See what happens.

How would you like to show gratitude to the people you care about?

 

10 Easy Ways To Practice Gratitude

It’s Good To Be Grateful!

Robert Emmons, noted researcher in the psychology of gratitude, was asked what were the three key things he wanted people to know about gratitude. “First, the practice of gratitude can increase happiness levels by around 25%. Second, this is not hard to achieve–a few hours writing in a gratitude journal over 3 weeks can create an effect that lasts 6 months if not more. Third, cultivating gratitude brings other health effects, such as longer and better quality sleep time.”

25% happier? Sounds good to me! Then, a little time journaling our ‘gratitudes’ for long lasting effects along with better health? That’s a pretty good deal for the amount of effort.    Read more

Living In Gratitude: Have an Attitude of Gratitude

Take time to reflect, write in your journal or post on Facebook.

Consider for a moment all of the things you have to express gratitude for…

  • Music to soothe your soul
  • Good friends to celebrate special occasions
  • Each of your senses with which to fully experience life
  • The beauty of every season
  • Walking barefoot in the sand
  • The small of freshly cut grass
The more you recognize and express gratitude for the things you have, the more things you will have to express gratitude for. ~Zig Ziglar

Living In Gratitude: Keep gratitude higher than expectations

The days that I keep my gratitude higher than my expectations, those are really good days. ~Ray Wylie Hubbard

 

Expectations…we all have them, of ourselves and of others. Consider how often those expectations are set so high that they aren’t met. By setting our expectations at such a level, we often also set ourselves up for failure or disappointment.

Instead, try setting your sights high for appreciating all you have, big, small and in between. Being thankful allows us to open our hearts to all that happens in life, not just what we ‘expect’. Remember the old saying, “The best things in life are unexpected!”

Living In Gratitude: Each day I am thankful for…

Take a moment and reflect on the things for which you are thankful.

  • Nights that turn into mornings
  • Friends that turn into family
  • Dreams that turn into reality
  • Likes that turn into love

And a few more….there are so many!

  • Sleeping in
  • Laughing until I cry
  • The bright warmth of the sun
  • Vacations
  • A peaceful, rejuvenating walk in nature
  • Spending time with loved ones

Living In Gratitude: Most of all, be thankful

Take time to reflect, write in your journal or post on Facebook.

 

In what ways were you kind, thoughtful, genuine and thankful today?

  • Allowing the person with one item to go ahead of me in line.
  • Leaving secret, sweet notes for my spouse/partner/kids.
  • Letting my coworkers know how much I appreciate their talent.
There are many ways to show and express kindness, thoughtfulness and appreciation. Look for opportunities each day to let those around you know and feel your genuine gratitude.

The Science of Happiness: An Experiment in Gratitude

What makes you happy? Have you ever wondered why? Sit back and enjoy this video experiment on what makes people happier.

Take time each day to say thank you, to appreciate all of the things and people in your life. Science shows, thankful people are happiest!

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Gratitude Helps Children Grow

…if you live feeling like

Your glass is half empty, well,

It may as well be empty all the way.

~Mattie J.T. Stepanek, Journey Through Heartsongs

The word “appreciation” means really seeing something for what it is – having an awareness of how special, how lucky, how unique, how blessed, how big, wonderful or awesome something is. Appreciation is a recognition not based on comparison, but based on the intrinsic value, character or immensity of a thing, action or person.

Some people are born “appreciators”. They value the essence of everything – the beauty of a sunset, the fragile green of a leaf, the boundless energy of a small child. Others must learn to see the beauty and wonder in the world.

Teaching children the value of appreciation is so important. It opens the heart, giving them a sense of belonging, a sense of community. Gratitude opens children up to the awareness of what others provide. Helping children grow an ‘attitude of gratitude’ can begin at a very early age. Read more

The Most Memorable Give You’ll Ever Give

Make it a habit to tell people thank you. To express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you’ll soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life, and you’ll find that you have more of it ~Ralph Marston

Have you ever wanted to give a friend, significant other, family member, teacher or co-worker a very special gift to express how much they mean to you but were at a loss to find the perfect present?

Here it is! A Gratitude Gift Journal.

A one-of-a-kind, heartfelt present that’s simple to create. Odds are, it will be treasured as one of the best — or maybe even the best — gift your special someone has ever received.  Read more