During this Thanksgiving Season, learn how to make the shift to an attitude of gratitude.
Attitude of gratitude is a phrase that is used often, but what exactly does it mean and how do we make the shift. This week, we celebrate Thanksgiving, a time of year when we give thanks for all of the things or people we are grateful to have in our lives.
There is, of course, the traditional meaning for Thanksgiving day and I do not mean to take away from that, but what if we extended that gratitude to a daily practice? When life’s challenges seem large and non-stop, we will always have something to be grateful for, even in some small way. It’s about focusing on the positive, putting your attention on the good.
We all know at least one person like this, even if you aren’t there … yet. He or she is always jolly. Life is good. Happiness is bountiful and joy is always present. Does this person have no trials or money problems or sickness? Of course they do! They have learned how to shift their attitude to gratitude.
And before you ask the question, material possessions actually decreases our level of satisfaction according to some studies, so we do not need things to be happy. The poorest people can be incredibly grateful and content.
To start the shift, keep a gratitude journal. Whether you write it down in a beautifully bound journal, in an inexpensive notebook pictured above or an app on your phone, start with 1-3 simple things that you feel grateful for each day. People who do this have fewer health problems, more optimism and increasing levels of gratitude.
Why are some people so happy and optimistic? It’s all about the way they perceive things. How can you reframe a situation so you begin to perceive it in a different light. Here’s an example: some driver cuts you off on the highway. Instead of getting angry at his rudeness, reframe it to he may be rushing because he has a very sick family member in the hospital and he needs to get there quickly. The truth is we really do not know and we are not judges. If you knew his son was dying (as was the case with my husband 11 years ago this week) would you get angry if he was driving erratically down the highway on his way to the hospital. I hope not. It is not the external event that causes our feelings, but our thoughts about the event. Reframe them to a positive light.
When you have those days that nothing seems positive, remember the words of my wise brother who expresses his gratitude this way, ” I woke up today. Not everyone was that lucky.”
Happy Thanksgiving to you all.