So what’s The Big Deal about Gratitude??
Well, it’s an activity of changing the focus from what we don’t have, to what we do have.
Tis the season… The holidays in general, and holiday shopping time can be a time for the “What-we-don’t-haves” to come to the surface. Behind those “What-we-don’t-have” thoughts are fear, concern, worry as in: I don’t have enough, and other thoughts – which can quickly escalate to: I am not enough. And anger, resentment, envy, jealousy too as in: “They” have so much more than I do – and a few thoughts later spiral into thinking ‘who’ is at fault for our present circumstances, It’s just not fair, and more (more temper).
In order to change our focus – we need to our change thoughts.
Can’t feel grateful, if we don’t think grateful thoughts. Besides, thinking of what we do have right now– is good practice in thinking realistic thoughts.
My personal preference is to write a gratitude list. For me the act of writing is more meaningful than simply thinking about what I’m grateful for.
When we write – we’re thinking the thought, writing the thought, seeing the thought on paper, and reading it too as we’re writing. Lot’s of physical senses involved. It takes some effort & concentration.
For several years I wrote the standard: I am grateful for _______.
Now sometimes I add some variety.
There are lots and lots of ways to express gratitude.
I appreciate ______.
I’m so fortunate to ______.
I’m lucky to be/have ______.
I’m so very glad to ______.
WOW, I really appreciate ______.
I am thankful for ______.
I’m so lucky to have _____.
I’m so happy to ______.
I’m so pleased to ______.
I really value ______.
I am sooooooooooo grateful for ______.
I’m really happy about ______.
I am profoundly grateful for ______.
I am so blessed to ______.
And one of my favorites: I really cherish ______.
Me? Among other ‘things’ – I really cherish my mental health!
There’s no right or wrong in which words you choose to use. It’s the heartfelt feeling of appreciation that shifts/elevates your mood (feeling).
Suggestion: Just like any other practice – Say it like you mean it.
One more idea –
Thinking about what we don’t have makes us feel bad.
Thinking/being grateful for what we do have makes us feel good.
As always, we get to choose what we want to consciously think about and dwell on. And, as always, for BEST results – practice daily.
Well, it’s an activity of changing the focus from what we don’t have, to what we do have.
Tis the season… The holidays in general, and holiday shopping time can be a time for the “What-we-don’t-haves” to come to the surface. Behind those “What-we-don’t-have” thoughts are fear, concern, worry as in: I don’t have enough, and other thoughts – which can quickly escalate to: I am not enough. And anger, resentment, envy, jealousy too as in: “They” have so much more than I do – and a few thoughts later spiral into thinking ‘who’ is at fault for our present circumstances, It’s just not fair, and more (more temper).
In order to change our focus – we need to our change thoughts.
Can’t feel grateful, if we don’t think grateful thoughts. Besides, thinking of what we do have right now– is good practice in thinking realistic thoughts.
My personal preference is to write a gratitude list. For me the act of writing is more meaningful than simply thinking about what I’m grateful for.
When we write – we’re thinking the thought, writing the thought, seeing the thought on paper, and reading it too as we’re writing. Lot’s of physical senses involved. It takes some effort & concentration.
For several years I wrote the standard: I am grateful for _______.
Now sometimes I add some variety.
There are lots and lots of ways to express gratitude.
I appreciate ______.
I’m so fortunate to ______.
I’m lucky to be/have ______.
I’m so very glad to ______.
WOW, I really appreciate ______.
I am thankful for ______.
I’m so lucky to have _____.
I’m so happy to ______.
I’m so pleased to ______.
I really value ______.
I am sooooooooooo grateful for ______.
I’m really happy about ______.
I am profoundly grateful for ______.
I am so blessed to ______.
And one of my favorites: I really cherish ______.
Me? Among other ‘things’ – I really cherish my mental health!
There’s no right or wrong in which words you choose to use. It’s the heartfelt feeling of appreciation that shifts/elevates your mood (feeling).
Suggestion: Just like any other practice – Say it like you mean it.
One more idea –
Thinking about what we don’t have makes us feel bad.
Thinking/being grateful for what we do have makes us feel good.
As always, we get to choose what we want to consciously think about and dwell on. And, as always, for BEST results – practice daily.
© 2009 Rose VanSickle ~ All rights reserved
