Do you struggle with finding reasons to be thankful amid unpleasant circumstances beyond your control? If so, you may benefit from one or more of the suggestions here. Many studies have been conducted to substantiate the positive mental and physical benefits of practicing gratitude.

Gratitude isn’t just for optimists. Anyone with a desire to choose an improved mindset can develop this skill and become more grateful and appreciative. Why would you want to do that? Plain and simple, because most people prefer not to be around whiners and complainers, AND it’s a rough way to go through life.

Developing an Attitude of Gratitude

Whenever an overwhelming feeling of fatigue from living life on life’s terms hits, take a deep breath and create a mental or written gratitude list of 3-10 nouns (people, places, things) that bring a smile to your face, such as a sunset, baby’s laugh, or favorite aroma. You may choose to write more about your list in a journal or in a Thank You letter to someone who has provided a kindness or inspiration for you.

You may choose to consider a mental subtraction list, imagining your life without any one or more of the items that bring you pleasure, comfort, peace, or a sense of purpose, security, or belonging in your life. Take a “Savoring Walk” outdoors employing any of your 5+ senses as you inhale the fragrance of blossoms on a local tree in Spring, or feel the warmth of sunshine on the back of your neck. Even if the trudge is during the icy cold of winter and the trees are dead, you can choose to be grateful while observing the snow glistening from the sun’s rays, or feeling the bite of the cold, reminding you that you are indeed alive!

10 More Ideas to Help You Practice Gratitude

1. Watch your mouth! The language you choose to speak, write, post, or communicate in some other way may reflect an attitude of gratitude, including words like “blessings,” “gifts,” “fortunate,” “abundant life,” and so forth, demonstrating an appreciation for all that has been provided.

2. Come to your senses! Using your 5+ senses (vision, smell, touch, hearing, taste) plus a few more kinesthetic additions, recognize the miracle it is to be blessed with the awareness of each of these unique experiences.

3. Write it out! As previously mentioned, keep a gratitude journal to log daily entries, including significant relationships, routine favorite experiences such as slowly sipping that hot morning Cup of Joe, and lovely new ones as they come along.

4. Just do it! Going through the motions of smiling, polite greetings, and using manners such as saying “please” and “thank you” continues the use of grateful language (see #1), setting the mindset to gratitude.

5. Look out! Visual reminders including the journal (mentioned in # 3), your social media handle, i.e. “Grateful Gwen,” flowers, people serving your needs, a sky full of stars, or your favorite furry cuddle buddy can be a powerful tools for increased mindfulness.

6. To Thine Own Self Be True! Make an oath to yourself to practice writing a daily gratitude list or at least reflecting on one and implementing some of these other suggestions into your regular habits as well.

7. It could be worse! Remember the worst times you or people you know have survived, and be thankful you are no longer suffering in that season. Also, be grateful for any possible lessons learned from painful heartbreaks.

8. Listen up! Listen to your favorite music or nature sounds and sing along or breathe deeply as you appreciate the breath of life inside your lungs.

9. Express yourself! Share your gratitude with another person through a thank you card, a social media post, or a verbal compliment in passing.

10. Meditate on these things! Philippians chapter 4 reminds us to think about whatever things are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy.

Now for a little personal self-disclosure from the author…

The style of this blog post so far is hopefully useful and informative, as opposed to a diary-type journal entry sharing my own gratitude-related experiences with you. The latter kind is the approach implemented at my own site, GratefulGwen.com. Being graciously offered the opportunity to collaborate with the original creator of this site as a guest blogger is truly an answered prayer. What I mean by that is… God only knows (and maybe a few trusted others) all about my character defects. Included in those flaws or weaknesses is my stubborn self-will to fly solo with all of my projects, as opposed to working with a team or partner.

So here I get to practice playing well with others in the proverbial sandbox, as well as drawing inspiration from a fellow blogger who provides information as a well-researched resource rather than a “Dear Diary” approach which primarily benefits the writer. Should you care to read more about specifically what makes me grateful, you are always welcome to join me at my blog site listed above.

In the meantime, I will close this particular share with gratitude for Tonya @ Faithful Flow and YOU for investing the time to read it. May you discover myriad reasons to be grateful today, understanding that it is through our weaknesses (character flaws) that Christ shines through (2 Corinthians 12:10).

Give a listen to “Where the Light Shines Through” by Switchfoot as you take a few deep breaths, sitting in gratitude for all of your failures and life lessons learned along your journey.

If you’re interested in additional tips to help you cultivate gratitude, here are some of my favorite resources:

mindful.org
Greater Good
youversion.com