- Dinners al-fresco on the back patio.
- Long walks after dinner.
- Flipping burgers on the grill in the pouring rain.
- Acupuncture treatment by a friend.
- My little sister’s encouraging words.
- Woohoo’s from Parker at gymnastics.
- Great books that make you think.
These are just a few of the things on my 1000 Gifts list. Typically we give thanks during the November/December holiday season. It’s a down-right tradition.
Like a hearty bowl of soup on a cold, damp autumn day, giving thanks fills us up. So, why reserve the attitude of gratitude for just one time of the year? What if we gave thanks year around?
Happy people actively exercise gratitude and choose to live with an attitude of gratitude.” ~MindBodyGreen
Simply put, expressing gratitude makes us happy.
Need more incentive than “just being happy” to express your gratitude? How about better sleep. Would you take that?
Studies show you will also gain a stronger immune system, and if you have kids, you need that! You will feel more connected to people around you, you’ll have increased energy, you’ll be more creative...gratitude is the key to all this and more.
Practicing gratitude trains you to be in the moment, to slow down, look around and realize your life is pretty awesome. It won’t take away your troubles but, the deliberate act of practicing gratitude is a guarantee that you’ll appreciate what you have rather than what you don’t.
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You will complain less, which others will be highly grateful for. These people will enjoy being around you more. Talk about how to win friends…
Need a little gratitude prompt? Try this: Like in the book, One Thousand Gifts, practice writing down the things you are grateful for. Do it every day. Work at it until you have 1000 things on your list. Here are some prompts to get you thinking. Or, make it your own.
“When you don’t have time to taste and see that the Lord is good, you begin to believe that life is bad.” ~Ann Voskamp
Go ahead. Try a little gratitude. Who knows what you will gain.
CHOICE READING | Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy, by Nancy L. DeMoss & One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp.
Have Faith Everyday 