Many people would be truly surprised to know that gratitude is very important when it comes to happiness and being balanced in life. Why? Because someone who is ungrateful doesn’t think about the effects of their actions on others; they don’t accept that life is about give and take, the ripples their actions and attitudes cause in the lives of others.
Gratitude is the expression of acknowledgement and appreciation for the contributions of others. We were all, hopefully, taught as children to say “please” and “thank you”; to send thank-you cards for presents received. However, this is not the sum total of gratitude. It goes beyond these societal norms: gratitude is an attitude, a way of life.
Practice gratitude every day
You should practice gratitude every day, until it has become a part of you. One of the major parts of a Christian’s life should be gratitude: the Bible tells us over and over, give thanks to God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, our Heavenly Father, the embodiment of all that is good. Prayer and thanksgiving (gratitude) are a Christian’s biggest “jobs” in life, according to Scripture. Just as we are to praise God and thank Him for His goodness to us, we need to live in a state of gratitude. A grateful person is a happier person, because they consider others, look for the good in life, and acknowledge it with humility. But what are some concrete things you can do in your life to practice gratitude?
Write letters
One of the best ways to cultivate gratitude is to begin to comprehend the value of others. Sit down and think about the people in your life. Don’t confine yourself to the” important” people, like your close friends and family—think about your doctor, your babysitter, even your trash collector! Think about the influence they have on you, how much easier and better your life is because of them. Now, write it down! Even if you don’t even give the letter to the person, the act of writing it down will help commit it to your conscious mind, and you will behave more gratefully in the future.
Keep a gratitude journal
This one is similar to writing the letters: every day, put aside a little time to write down the things you are grateful for, especially things that happened that day. Again, this commits gratitude to your conscious mind, and makes you more considerate.
Do something for others
Sure, a thank you is great and it matters a lot, but so do actions! Do you have a great neighbor? Offer to babysit or help out with yard work. Does your son’s teacher love chocolate? Bake her a cake, or if you’re not culinary minded, pick something up she would love! Does your spouse make you feel wonderful and loved every day? Express your appreciation for their love through all the little things that show you care. Gratitude is about giving back to others, in appreciation for what they mean to you!
These are just a few of the things that you can do to practice gratitude. Always try to show those who are in your life how much they mean to you. Also, remember how important prayer and thanksgiving are in cultivating gratitude. By being mindful of how much others touch your world, you will be more sensitive to how your actions create the ripple effect of your life.
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