Gratitude is a popular topic lately, but when’s the last time you took a moment to let waves of thankfulness wash over and through you?
Making a list of things you’re grateful for isn’t the same as experiencing gratitude. The first is closer to making a grocery list while the second has far-reaching positive experiences such as:
- More friendships and deeper relationships
- Improved decision making and increased productivity
- Increased energy and better health
- Greater optimism, higher self-esteem, and more spirituality
- More resilience and less stress
In short, practicing gratitude leads to greater health, wealth, and happiness.
“Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.”
– William Arthur Ward
What’s Involved?
There’s nothing wrong with making lists of people, situations, and things you’re grateful for having in your life. In fact, I recommend it. Having a gratitude journal can be helpful, too.
However, don’t let those things distance you from genuinely feeling and expressing gratefulness.
The difference can be as simple as asking a single question.
Why?
Yep. It’s that simple.
Why are you grateful for the person you listed? What about that situation inspires or helps you experience happiness?
It’s the difference between listing that you like smores and describing how you love the crumbly crunch of graham cracker that squeezes warm, sweet marshmallow on your tongue followed by the silky softness of melted chocolate repeated and savored until you’ve licked the last little bit of gooey stickiness from your fingers.
See the difference?
Don’t keep it to yourself.
Gratitude is powerful stuff. So is feeling appreciated and loved.
When someone makes your gratitude list because of who they are or something they’ve done, take the time to let them know.
It’s a small gesture that can make someone’s day and deepen your relationship with them.
Who and what are you grateful for and why?