November ushers in a season of fall colors, leaves turning, crisp at least cooler weather. We think of hot chocolate, apples, pumpkin spice and Black Friday deals. It also brings a season of gratitude – social media challenges and inspirational quotes about being grateful, having a positive mindset and setting our attitude straight.
Gratitude is good for our health
Gratitude is good for our relationships
Gratitude is good for your business
Gratitude is good for your soul.
With Thanksgiving around the corner, it’s time for soul searching and asking ourselves, what are we grateful for? Growing up (and even now) I was taught to express daily gratitude in prayer and in person. Giving thanks around the table is a tradition among many families as they gather for feasting and football.
What is gratitude and why it is important?
Gratitude is a thankful appreciation of what you receive, tangible or intangible. It is an emotion that we feel when someone expresses gratitude for us or when we verbalize our gratitude for others. It is a simple gesture to say "Thank You" but it actually has benefits for everyone.
Gratitude allows us to recognize the good in our lives- focusing and appreciating the good reminds us of the great things around us.
Gratitude allow us to see that sources of good are usually close by . When we practice gratitude, we are recognizing people who bring goodness and it humbles us to give them credit.
There are studies that show mental, emotional and social benefits of showing gratitude. Self-esteem, makes us more well-liked, makes us more optimistic to name a few.
In a world that seems to be in constant chaos – (2020, need I say more), it may do us all good to pause, reflect and be grateful. I am grateful this year for my continued health, for my daughter’s wedding, for my new granddaughter, that all of my kids and husband are still working. I am grateful that I was able to keep my staff employed during shutdown, that my landlord is a reasonable person, that my dance families continue to trust me with their children. I am grateful we attended 3 dance competitions and that we held an amazing outdoor recital. I am grateful for technology that allows us to still connect even if it is different.
There are lots of ways to practice gratitude everyday – even when it’s not November. It is a great way to reflect, show appreciation and celebrate people in your life. Here are a few different ways to try practicing gratitude:
1. Gratitude journal
2. Appreciate nature
3. Lessons you can learn from a stressful situation
4. Create a gratitude collage
5. Name one positive thing you can appreciate or learn from a challenging situation
6. Meditate on things you are grateful for
7. Post on social media
8. Keep a gratitude list and add to it daily
9. Set a reminder on your phone to pause and thing of something you are grateful for
10. Write thank you notes
However, and wherever, your gratitude practice takes you, remember “a grateful heart is a magnet for miracles”. And you have nothing to lose!