Ways To Be Thankful, All Year Long
"Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” ―Ralph Waldo Emerson
1. Appreciate What You Already Have.
So many of us live in a perpetual state of wanting more—more money, more shiny new toys, more things. And we chase those material possessions with more gusto than we pursue what’s been empirically shown to increase happiness: more gratitude, more experiences, and more time.
Research shows that rich people aren’t any happier day-to-day than the rest of us. In fact, many are more stressed and spend less time doing enjoyable activities.
If you want to start learning to appreciate what you have and stop wanting more, try:
-Appreciate What You Have by Practicing Gratitude
-Get to Know Someone Who Doesn't Have What You Have
-Appreciate What You Have by Giving More
2. Get In The 'Feeling Good' Habit.
Every night as you’re getting ready to go to bed, spend a few minutes thinking of all of the things that you were grateful for during that day. This is especially important when you’ve had a bad day and it seems as though there is nothing to give thanks for.
We understand this can take work, especially when negative emotions are getting the best of you, but this is important. Sometimes you just have to push yourself. Maybe you closed a deal with a business associate or had a few laughs with a friend. Maybe you received a compliment. Or maybe you did something nice for someone or someone did something nice for you and it lifted your spirits. It can be as small as a snack you enjoyed or a parking space you snagged. Believe us, you’ll come to find that it’s well worth the effort because you will be creating an attitude of gratitude, a habit that’s conducive to making you feel good and enjoy your life.
*Do this in the morning when you wake up, AND at night before you go to sleep! Just starting off with some things you’re thankful for can leave you with a positive mindset for the day ahead; When you’re heading to bed, think about 3 things you’re thankful for, either in life in general, or from that specific day!
3. Show You Care.
Caring for others provides benefits that most people often don’t experience at their day jobs. We all have a desire to feel needed and the role of caregiver does that, which is a great feeling. It also gives a greater meaning and purpose to our lives, helping us to refocus on the more important things in life – our relationships with the people we care about.
*50 Ways To Show Someone You Care: https://www....a7420536.html
4. Keep A Gratitude Journal.
Science has fallen over itself proving how gratitude makes you not only a warmer person but a healthier one. “Previous research has linked gratitude to improved mental health, lower levels of anxiety and improved sleep,” says Blaire Morgan, Ph.D., a research fellow at the University of Birmingham in England. “Our own research has demonstrated a strong link between gratitude and three different measures of well-being: satisfaction with life, subjective happiness and positive affect.”
The idea of the gratitude journal, as with most forms of mindful personal development, is theoretically wonderful, a warmly resonant concept designed to blast rays of sunshine into your dull cement world of commutes, credit card APRs, and Facebook. Gratitude journals are the opposite of work-intensive, requiring only a pen, pad and a handful of quiet moments. You can keep them anywhere. They’re meant to be mentally refreshing, spiritually invigorating, and free of expectation or reciprocation—a crystal-blue example of pure instinctual human goodwill.
*Tips For Keeping A Gratitude Journal: https://grea...itude_journal
5. Have An Attitude of Gratitude.
Are you a grateful person? Thankful for the good things, big and small, in your life?
In the hustle of to-do lists and work deadlines, sometimes it’s (too) easy to block out the details of the day, forgetting that each and every day holds precious gifts. From the air we breathe to the friendships we hold close, there is always something to be thankful for.
* With the season of thanksgiving upon us, here are 15 quotes to inspire a life of gratitude:
https://www....ut-gratitude/
5. Remember A Time When You Struggled and Appreciate How Far You've Come.
Sometimes it's as simple as thinking back to a hard time in your life. You probably remember how you were feeling and what you were going through pretty vividly. Now look at your life in the present moment where you're not in that particular struggle and find comfort that you've moved on. You overcame. You persevered. You made it through. Breathe a deep sigh of relief and remember that you are capable, adaptable and in a different place. It's never good to dwell too much on the past, but to learn and grow from the challenges and hard times is something to remember and celebrate. It helps to cultivate an appreciation for yourself and your resilience, and in turn, you'll feel more grateful more often.
6. Recognize and value the little things.
Remember that cup of coffee in the morning? Yes, that's a little thing but one that brings value to my day. What little things make your day brighter? Focus on those things. Savor them. Talk about them. Share them with others. More often than not, those little things add up and bring beauty, joy and meaning to your day in a big way. Appreciate them for what they are and please, please, please slow down enough from the busyness of life to take the time to notice them.
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**Speaking of being thankful for what you already have, think about your family and friends, your health, and even the most basic things like being able to see, hear, and taste! Combine all of those blessings with something creative and unique like a painting and wine class, and you’re sure to have a great experience this time of year, or any! Join us for a class and bring your loved ones in to experience this unique style of art-making with you! No prior-painting experience is needed and for all of you 21+ guests out there, we have a bar with wine and beer for purchase!
Painting, wine, and a whole lot of fun??
Now, that's something to be thankful for!!!
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