Thursday, January 23, 2020

Practicing Gratitude by Laura Ashwood

If the only prayer you say in your life is ‘thank you,’ that would suffice. – Meister Eckhart

Gratitute.  It's a simple word that has profound meaning.  Webster defines it as "the state of being grateful: Thankfulness."  Gratitude can shift your focus from what you perceive your life to lack to the abundance that is already present.  Studies show that the regularly practicing gratitude makes people happier and more resilient, it strengthens relationships, it improves health, and it reduces stress.

People tend to take for granted the good that is already present in their lives, I am not an exception.  It seems that I find myself all too often lamenting about things I wish I had, or how my life would be better if I only had this or could do this or that instead of looking at everything I already do have.  As an author, it's really easy to fall into impostor syndrome when I read a book that I love, thinking I can never write like that.  While I think that is natural and can be motivating on one level, it makes me feel awful on another.  There are people that would love to have what I have. 

When she was in high school, our daughter spent a weekend doing a mission project in the cities with our church youth group. They were cleaning and painting a building that was being used as a shelter for disadvantaged and homeless individuals. As she talked about her experience, she was overcome with tears. She explained that as they were handing out bags containing some personal toiletry items, an individual asked her for her socks. She never even considered socks being a covetable item.  Neither have I.  When I want socks, I open a dresser drawer and have many to choose from.  Have I considered being grateful for socks?  Not intentionally.

They say that if you want to start attracting positive things into your life, there is one small thing you should do every day—show your gratitude, appreciation and love for the people and things around you.  Over the past decade, researchers have identified great social, psychological, and physical health benefits that come from giving thanks. Benefits including better sleep, fewer symptoms of illness, and more happiness among adults and kids alike.  It makes perfect sense. 

Image result for i am grateful

The Bible is FULL of verses about Gratitude.  Among my favorites is:


Give thanks in ALL circumstances.  It's not always easy.  I have gone through things in my life that I was NOT thankful for when I was going through them.  Looking back at those times, I can see the lessons I learned and how my life changed for the better for having gone through those experiences.  It's my goal to remember to give thanks even when I cannot find a "tangible reason" to be thankful.

This year I am determined to find gratitude in my daily life by keeping a Gratitude Journal. The idea is to make time several times each week to write down 3-5 things you are thankful for; soap, socks, or maybe just simply being.  Some helpful tips if you decide to start a gratitude journal:
  • Don’t overdo it. Writing occasionally (three to five times per week) is more beneficial than daily journaling. “We adapt to positive events quickly, especially if we constantly focus on them,” says Emmons. “It seems counterintuitive, but it is how the mind works.” Source
Once you become oriented toward looking for things to be grateful for, you will find that you naturally begin to appreciate simple pleasures and things that you previously took for granted. Gratitude should not be just a reaction to getting what you want, but an all-the-time gratitude, the kind where you notice the little things and where you constantly look for the good even in unpleasant situations.

What are you thankful for??

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  1. Great post, Laura. I love the idea of trying subtraction, rather than addition.

  2. Thank you for the thought-provoking post, Laura. I guess I've been guilty of overdoing it. I didn't even know that was a thing!

  3. Thank you! :)

  4. The picture you included is so beautiful. I have started a gratitude journal in the past but let it go. You’ve inspired me to try again. I’m not someone who journals, so this is a challenge for me.

  5. Being thankful is important. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this.

  6. I am thankful for my husband and all the modern amenities. The list is endless because we are so blessed to live in peace and freedom in a modern society... First and foremost I am thankful to God who takes care of us.

  7. Laura, thanks for reminding us to be grateful.