A Time to be Grateful

We’ll be celebrating Thanksgiving this week which points us towards a time to be grateful. With hardships being experienced on a daily basis, are you finding it challenging to be grateful this year? Maybe you are experiencing financial hardship due to inflation, relationship conflicts, or the reality of stress from feeling overwhelmed? 

Do you consider gratitude an emotion or just a state of being? According to the Merriam- Webster dictionary, the definition of gratitude is, “appreciative of benefits received or expressing gratitude”. Everyone can integrate gratefulness into their life by expressing an appreciation and acknowledgement for what one has. Feeling gratitude is important to our mental and physical health. 

Tips for staying focused on being grateful

• Keep a gratitude journal.
• Every day, jot down 2 – 3 things that felt like a blessing that day. You’ll have a record of those grateful moments that you can look back on. You’ll appreciate this over a span of time. 
• This Thanksgiving, write a “gratitude letter” to a friend or family member, or your child. Recognizing someone as special will boost their happiness and make your life more meaningful. 
• Set aside a special jar designated “Gratitude Jar”.  At Thanksgiving, have everyone drop a note in the jar stating what they are grateful for and then read them aloud at the table. Your family and guests will enjoy this special connection. 
• Role-model gratefulness for your children. Demonstrating to our children, the benefits of being grateful can support a sense of well-being.

Being mindful of your gratitude will help you to appreciate and include it in your life. Melody Bettie stated, “Be grateful, you’re where you are at this moment. Don’t worry about trying to hurry the future along. Look for the joy in life now.” Happy Thanksgiving!