Developing An Attitude of Gratitude
We are living in uncharted times. The stress of not knowing what is going to happen can easily overwhelm us. But really, we never knew what was going to happen when things were “normal”. We went about our day to day activities and planned for our lives as if we had control over them. Our control over our lives boils down to how we deal with life itself.
One thing I believe can help us manage daily stress is to live each day in gratitude. I’ve been keeping a gratitude journal for several years now and I can attest to the power of writing down what you are grateful for.
I started out by writing down five things I’m grateful for every night. I start each sentence with “I am grateful for…”. It is a calming force to realize you have so much to be grateful for every day. And it also prepares you for more restful sleep.
Then I began acknowledging my gratitude during a morning meditation/devotional. I have a favorite book that I read a chapter in daily. When I finish it, I start it over again, because I always see something new in it every time that I read it.
Living in gratitude doesn’t mean we need to focus on elaborate things or say them in eloquent ways. It can start with little things that we start to notice when we realize the bounty in our lives.
Consider these five things that may guide you to develop an attitude of gratitude.
Make a Plan
One of the single best things you can do to maintain positivity during tough times is to make a plan for how to deal with it. Plan ways to be productive and have fun. When you focus on the solution rather than the problem, you will naturally feel more positive. You will feel like you are rising to the challenge.
Reach Out for Support
Support in and support out! Reach out to loved ones and offer your support. Reach out if you need assistance too. When things are dire, it is always reaffirming when people pull together and help each other.
Take a Break
Be careful about thinking about your problems constantly. It is OK to take a break. You can take a break from the news, social media, or other people. It might not be easy but taking a break from external stimuli can help keep you positive.
Focus on Things You Can Control
When your world seems like it is spinning out of control, you may feel helpless. One way to address this and stay more positive is to focus on the things you can control. Instead of fretting about things out of your control, focus on making sure you do your best job on the things you can control.
Think and Write About Things You are Grateful For
Even during great personal turmoil, you still have things you are grateful for. When things get tough, it is vital to remember that there is good in the world, and more importantly, in your life. When you are struggling, take some time to list the things in your life you are grateful for.
Journaling is a powerful tool in so many ways. By simply giving you a place to express your gratitude, a journal helps you maintain positivity outside of its pages.
Perhaps now more than ever an attitude of gratitude is one of the best habits you can nurture. Just realizing that we have more to be thankful for than we have pulling us down will help us to “keep calm and carry on”.
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I’m Vicki Peel, former home economics teacher and educational administrator. If you are not receiving my emails, coupons, and freebies, look for the Subscribe block (below right) and submit your contact information. I will not share your information with anyone, and all the content you will receive as part of our community is free. I may occasionally promote someone else’s paid content, offer a product for your consideration or share an item that I think might be of use to you. However, you are under no obligation to purchase anything – ever. So, sign up now so you won’t miss anything during our July through September focus on LIFESTYLE!
