It’s so easy to be grateful when things are going well, but what about when things aren’t so great? Sometimes I have trouble practicing gratitude when things don’t go my way. This practice takes time and it’s continuous hard work. Thankfully I have been doing the work. As a result, this practice has become a little easier for me. While I still struggle from time to time, I can share at least 5 ways to practice gratitude. I’ve also included 5 scriptures on gratefulness that you may find helpful.
1. Keep a daily gratitude log. | I’ve been devoting the first 25 minutes of my day to gratitude and prayer. It’s taken me months to make this a habit, but I can’t imagine my mornings any other way. Each morning I write down 3 (different) things I’m grateful for. Taking the time to acknowledge certain things I’m grateful for helps set the tone for my day.
2. Send a handwritten thank you card. | I’ve been a fan of handwritten thank you cards for years. Taking the time to write and mail a thank you card is a simple way to show you care. Never underestimate what a handwritten and sincere note can do; taking that extra step goes a long way.
3. Be present and grateful in the moment. | This is probably the easiest way to practice gratitude, yet the most difficult to do. Why? Because we’re constantly thinking about what’s next. Stop thinking about what’s due two weeks from now or the appointment you have later in evening. Whatever you’re doing, be grateful that you’re alive and well enough to experience the moment. The deadlines, appointments and due dates can wait – be present and take a moment to be grateful.
4. Say, “thank you.” | People are not always kind enough to say “thank you”, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t say it. I’ve noticed that people often stop and look at me like I’m crazy when I say “thank you.” It’s like for that moment they stopped and realize that people aren’t always so mean and nasty. Don’t allow someone’s sour attitude to rub off on you. Be an example and show them that gratitude isn’t dead.
5. Practice random acts of kindness. | Last month I came up with a list of 12 Random Acts of Kindness for my Fearless Woman Facebook Group. I was inspired to do so after learning about a mission in downtown Baltimore called, Selfless Saturday. Over the past few months, the couple spearheading the program have become friends of Darrius and I. Rich and Erika are on a mission to serve the homeless in the community, in cities around America, every second Saturday of the month by providing them with nutritious cooked food prepared by volunteers. I was inspired to challenge myself and my group to practice random acts of kindness for the month of May. Doing something for a stranger with pure intentions, without expecting anything in return, is the most selfless thing you can do and it’s an excellent way to practice gratitude.
So tell me, what do you think about these 5 ways to practice gratitude? How do you practice gratitude? Let me know!
Thanks for reading and feel free to share your tips or scriptures below. You can even tweet them using the #wnjinspired hashtag; I’d love to see gratitude tips and scriptures go viral! Until next time, be blessed and stay safe…XO!
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