The Importance
of Gratitude Practice
“Gratitude holds us together as we are falling apart, helping us see that all we have, is all we really need,
and all we really need is an awareness of what we really have.”
– Sarah Ban Breathnach
Practicing gratitude every day is a transformative tool that will in time help induce an awareness of just how blessed you are.
Getting started
Create your own journal: This makes it more personal and easier to use.
Keep it accessible: Having your journal nearby allows you to jot down thoughts as they occur.
Timing is Everything
• Choose a relaxed time: Find a time of day when you’re feeling calm and focused.
• Remember your goals: Remind yourself why you started journaling in the first place.
• Be consistent: Journal regularly to develop a habit.
Putting Pen to Paper
• Reflect on blessings: If something or someone has positively impacted your life, include it in your gratitude journal.
• Cultivate mindfulness: The practice of listing things you’re grateful for can increase your awareness, compassion, and optimism.
• Find the extraordinary in the ordinary: Gratitude can help you appreciate the simple things in life.
Seeing the Good in the Bad
• Perspective: One of the benefits of finding the positive in difficult times is gaining a new perspective.
• Introspection and solutions: Once you move past the initial shock, you can become more aware of the stressor and focus on finding solutions.
• Consistency: Regularly practicing gratitude can help you develop a habit of finding the positive.
A Lifelong Thank You
If you need inspiration, here are some ideas of areas that are often overlooked:
• The kindness of strangers
• Your own health or the health of loved ones
• Having an active imagination
• Having a roof over your head and a bed to sleep in
• Loving and being loved
• Saying sorry
• Giving or receiving (anything from a smile to a compliment or a gift)
Gratitude
G – God surrounds you in love
R – Remember that you are a spiritual being learning to be human on a magical planet
A – Answers are always within you
T – Take time to listen to the still small voice inside
I – Invite love into your life
T – Trust that everything is in divine order and you will always be taken care of
U – Unbounded joy awaits your invitation
D – Delight in small miracles
E – Enjoy the present moment and give thanks all the time