This past week, I’ve enjoyed hearing about how my clients will spend the Thanksgiving holiday. Kids coming home from college, family traditions, a big meal that includes new friends, or a camping trip. A few days off for Thanksgiving can be so special and perfectly remind us of all we appreciate in our lives.
If we only listen to the consumer messages in our inboxes and advertisements, however, it would be easy to think of gratitude as a seasonal activity focused on carefully curated experiences that look perfect (but might leave us frazzled).
The reality for most people I know is that gratitude isn’t something we turn on in November and then revisit again next year. We know that gratitude is one of the easiest and most powerful ways to shift from a “never-enough” attitude to a mindset tuned into the present and aware of what is going well.
If you’d like to cultivate appreciation and honor for what makes life special and meaningful year-round, gratitude is an essential practice to incorporate into your daily routine.
After all, “What you appreciate, appreciates.” – Lynne Twist
Here are 4 ways to maintain your gratitude practice beyond Thanksgiving:
1. Make a cumulative gratitude list. You’ve probably heard of a daily gratitude journal, where you write down a few things each day that you appreciate. A cumulative gratitude list grows every day, avoiding duplication. This is a wonderful way to expand your gratitude practice when you notice you are grateful for the same three things every day.
2. Bring gratitude into your prayer or meditation. Devote your thoughts and intentions during your prayer or meditation towards gratitude and appreciation for your life. Apps like Calm and Headspace have some guided meditations on gratitude to guide you.
3. Gratitude conversation. Many people have a “check-in” question with their partner, kids, or friends. “How was your day?” or “What was your high and low today?” Follow up these questions with an invitation to express gratitude, such as “What are you thankful for today?” Modeling gratitude to – and alongside – others is a lovely practice.
4. Be direct. Write a letter, send a card, send a text, make a phone call, or meet up with people you are grateful for and tell them so directly. This is a powerful way to strengthen bonds with people who have impacted your life.
Do you have a gratitude practice that you love? Does one of these ideas resonate with you? Please reply to this note, or post a comment and tell me about it.
With love,
Jenny
