Maintaining a State of Gratitude
November is the month to be grateful and to show thanks for everything we have. Hopefully, you’ve been doing this year-round and can see that even though you may not have everything you want, you’re in a really good place.
Many people are constantly striving for bigger, better, more. And while having goals is important, it’s also important to pause for a minute.
- What can you appreciate today?
- What are you grateful for right now?
- What’s something that you have now that you might not have a few years from now?
Watching my kids grow up, make decisions about college, and move away has made me incredibly grateful for the time I have with the kids still at home. I know they won’t be there forever, and I’m thankful that they’re finding their own way in life.
My parents haven’t been able to attend the kids’ sporting events because of COVID restrictions and their compromised immune systems. But my parents are still around, and I’m grateful for that. And even though my own parents haven’t been able to enjoy the sporting events, I’m so glad that other grandparents can be there.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to be an active part of events and committees. And I’m grateful that I’ve learned to set boundaries so these commitments don’t take over my life.
I’ve been so proud watching my kids take setbacks in stride, like not making the top sports team–and appreciating where they are right now.
I haven’t necessarily been happy with the number I see on the scale, but I know I’m healthy and active so I’m grateful for where I’m at right now.
In general, when you focus on what you don’t have, you get more of that. The thing you don’t want. Instead, focus on what you’re grateful for and the joy it brings you, and you’ll be a happier person. Because gratitude brings more of what you’re grateful for.
Active gratitude is a practice, one that I don’t do enough of. Random acts of kindness and going out of your way to be kind help. But when was the last time you wrote down a gratitude list?
Hopefully, me putting this down online will be the start to a better gratitude practice for me!
