For me gratitude is looking at the simple things or experiences in life, things that money cannot buy and to be thankful for those things or experiences.
I have read about a gratitude journal for years. I had always thought I am grateful and thankful for everything thing in my daily life.
No matter who we are, or where we come from there is always something, at least one thing to be grateful for, each and every day.
I was reading the Oprah Winfrey book What I Know for Sure, and once again the topic of a gratitude journal came up. And for some reason this time I thought I would start one. And it has been one of the best things I ever did (Why did it take me so long)!
What having a gratitude journal has taught me is that I now know when there is something to be grateful for. I then pause and actually recognize that this is an experience or thing that I MUST be grateful for.
For me personally this has had a profound effect, because when I now recognize something to be grateful for, I embrace it, go with it and enjoy it even more. If there was something else to do (it can then wait), if there is a message or phone call (it can wait).
A quick example one of my kids ask me to come and see something that they have built with their Lego. As I am walking to their room, I recognize this as a something to be grateful for, I then put my phone down or in my pocket. I then give my child my full attention. I can see how proud they are of what they have done. I also ask questions and actually engage 100% in what they have done. I am grateful because I got to not only see what my child has made, but also enjoyed their company and what they built.
Simple tip for gratitude
When you wake up in the morning, think of one thing to be grateful for.
When you go to sleep, think of one thing during the day to be grateful for.
For me personally to think of something to be grateful for first thing in the morning sets the tone for my day!
And then once again going off to sleep with one of the last thoughts being a grateful thought, put my mind into a good place to have a great sleep.
Embrace the feel-good feeling of gratitude.
Summary
I hope you found this helpful, it went on for a bit longer than what I had anticipated, I think it was worth the extra reading.
Here is a link for a gratitude journal for kids (that could be used for adults too)!
The 3 Minute Gratitude Journal for Kids
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