Rolling right along in the A-Z with today's Letter G-
G is for Gratitude
'a state of being grateful; thankfulness'
I've always been an optimistic person. If someone brings up a negative point I have an irresistible urge to counter with something positive. Are we born this way or is this an attitude we cultivate as we grow up and older?
I think my parents encouraged an attitude of gratitude from the time we were small. We said grace before meals and were taught to say thank you for gifts we were given or kindness extended, and to put our appreciation in writing too. While I can't say gratitude is something I've had to learn with age, I do think it's a habit I've learned to practice with more intention.
Here are a few things I do to cultivate a grateful heart-
blog-seriously, blogging has been so beneficial in helping me see all there is to be grateful for...if you don't blog, then journal, keep a list, put slips of paper in a gratitude jar, whatever works for you, but write it down. There is something about writing down what you're grateful for that helps you call it to mind when you need remembering
pray-pausing to acknowledge and give thanks for the good things I've been given certainly, but on the flip side of that... when life is hard or confusing talking to God reminds me I'm not walking through those things alone, something for which I feel tremendous gratitude
volunteer-the best way I know to change the way I see a day, a circumstance, or life in general is to do something for somebody else
say thank you more-for the small things too. You never know when you'll make someone's day, which in turn has a way of making yours
send the card, write the note-let the people who have meant something to you know it
be present-we have far more distractions than ever before, and it's a challenge to look up from our phones, but look up we must if we hope to catch the sunset, marvel at the rainbow or admire how the tiniest of flowers bursts through the dry, hard ground.
We always have a choice in how we see our lives. I want to view mine in every season through the lens of gratitude.
Great reminders about the benefits of and ways to cultivate gratitude. I agree so much about volunteering/helping others is a great way to take the focus off of the self and turn thoughts, actions, and resources of time and/or money towards somebody or something else. It benefits the person or group you're helping but it's also good for you!
ReplyDeleteI so agree with all those ways to cultivate gratitude. Thank you for being a positive place in the blog world!
ReplyDeleteA great list of cultivators!
ReplyDeleteHi Joyce, I appreciated this one. :-) I do enjoy your positive thoughts here in blog land and always taking the high road.
ReplyDeleteCarla
Excellent tribute to Gratitude with the featured letter "G."
ReplyDeleteGreat post!! Positivity and gratitude are so important.
ReplyDeleteWell said. Being present is so important. Loved this!
ReplyDeleteI love your positivity!
ReplyDeleteI'm a strong advocate for a gratitude practice, and I like the idea of "cultivators." I also think these words from Macrina Wiederkehr are true: “Gratitude is like incense. It ascends and flows out as a sweet fragrance to everyone.”
ReplyDeleteGratitude... it can turn any foul day around if you are able to focus on the gifts God has placed in our path, even the tiniest ones! I love your list of ideas for cultivating gratitude. I need to volunteer more - somehow I always found time when I was busy working but since Covid and retiring, not so much. And, being present is a BIG one! Actively listening, sharing in an experience or simply "being" still together are all moments to cherish!
ReplyDelete