Being Grateful on a Daily Basis
It’s been almost a year since I wrote about the value of practising gratitude and as I’m feeling particularly grateful for my life in Brecon, I thought this would be a useful topic for this week’s blog.
Being grateful on a daily basis has the ability to transform self-pity and discontent if we let the feeling into our hearts. I’m a reluctant convert to the habit of writing a gratitude list. Whenever anyone suggested this to me, I used to groan inwardly.
Since then, I’ve become a believer in the merits of developing an attitude of being grateful. This helps us stay present in our lives as we take a moment to reflect on all the things that we have surrounding us that we can express gratitude for.
I am definitely a list person. My friend Linda will smile when she reads this. We used to work closely together and whenever we had a project ahead of us, I would want to plan by making preparation and ideas lists and she would want to just burst into action. Somehow we complemented each other.
So I make gratitude lists and this is what I’m suggesting today as a tool for enhancing our mental health and well-being.
Here are some suggestions that might aid you in making your list, or taking some action. Some of these tips come from the Mindfulness book I’ve mentioned before that I’ve found very helpful. ‘Mindfulness’ by Dr Patrizia Collard.
Find time to appreciate what feels good in your life- what is working for you right now?
What pleasurable memories do you have that help you to feel grateful?
Say ‘thank you’ to others as often as possible throughout the day.
What do you appreciate about your body?
Imagine how would you spend and treasure this day, if it were the last day of your life?
Make a list of those people you appreciate being in your life right now. When you can, make a point of telling them how much you appreciate them. Transforming a thought into action deepens its impact. It also helps us to feel good.
What do you do for yourself that makes you feel good? Then remind yourself to do more of these things.
List difficult times that you have faced and overcome. Can you feel grateful for the opportunities you’ve had to develop such strength and courage?
List the special gifts that you have and can be grateful for.
What small accomplishments have you made in your daily life? How are things better for you than they were last week, month, year?
If you are facing a difficult situation, can you find something positive hidden within it for which you can feel grateful?
What exists in your life that you can find value in and appreciate?
You play an important part in your own well-being. List the ways that you do this.
What abundance do you have in your life right now?
When you’ve completed your list, go through each item and inwardly say thank-you, one by one. This enhances the feelings of well-being and reduces any stress you might be feeling.
Making a gratitude list helps to diminish some of life’s challenges that we are finding difficult, as we turn towards joy and gladness. All of this helps to develop a more optimistic view on life. The challenges don’t go away but they can become less overwhelming and feel more manageable.
When you take time for gratitude you perceive a better world.
Author of memoir, ‘Wearing Red, One Woman’s Journey to Sanity’
Available from www.amazon.co.uk and www.browndogbooks.uk