Every November, Americans anticipate the Thanksgiving holiday at the end of the month. They consider all their reasons for being thankful. Of course, genuinely thankful people tend to count their blessings regularly–it isn’t reserved for one month each year. To be consistently thankful, you have to operate with an attitude of gratitude.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my life it’s the power of gratitude.
Think about it: time can feel like it’s passing so fast that it’s all you can do to stay focused on your purpose, as each day goes by in a blur. It can feel overwhelming, like flying through dense fog. But gratitude can be your guide…a compass…your beacon in the haze.
Gratitude isn’t just about saying “thanks” when you receive a gift or a need of yours is met. It’s a daily practice that influences how we see the world and the people in it. It is a mindset that matters because it keeps you grounded in good times and helps you navigate difficult times.
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Thankfulness can be seen as an expression or sense of appreciation for something, while gratefulness may describe a more profound understanding of the true value of the things we may take for granted.
~ from “Greatfulness Vs. Thankfulness: Expressing Gratitude” |
Sometimes being grateful is hard. But knowing how it works can help. Consider these specific reasons why gratitude matters:
- Gratitude grounds us.
When you experience turbulence in your life, being reminded of your blessings helps you move through it with grace.
- Gratitude grows us.
When you can acknowledge the good in your life, it nurtures you so you’re more likely to seek out positivity every day.
- Gratitude enhances our relationships.
When you have an appreciation for personal connections, it bolsters your ability to respect people and love them well.
- Gratitude boosts our resilience.
When you face challenges, you can face them because you're able to focus on ways to overcome them rather than the idea of being defeated by them.
- Gratitude is contagious.
When you show gratitude, it inspires a ripple effect of positivity in the people around you.
Cultivating gratitude is important because it helps you walk through chaos with a focus on what’s good. My journey from flying through blue skies to speaking on assorted stages has taught me that being grateful is a conscious and transformative choice. It is a choice to appreciate not only grand achievements and momentous events but also the ordinary in every day. Gratitude is a tool for living my best life.
