What You Should Know About Gratitude!

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Gratitude is the best attitude

With the Thanksgiving holiday upon us, have you taken the time to think about the true meaning of the day? We know it’s a day where family and friends from near and far come together and share a big meal. But there’s more to it than that. It’s also a day of reflection…a day where we should take the time to think about the successes and the failures of the past year and figure out how to grow from it. A day to figure out what you should know about being gracious.

Thanksgiving is a day set aside to show gratitude

A day where we remember to be thankful and grateful for all that we have and to thank God for all that he has done. Although we should do it everyday, this is a day set aside in order to remind us of how important being gracious truly is. What are you thankful for?

Thankfulness and gratitude go hand in hand

Can you think of one thing among the chaos and craziness that goes on every day that you’re thankful for? Something that can be an anchor of appreciation? Something that you can use even when you’re feeling anxious or stressed that will pull you back into a calm demeanour once you realize it’s importance?

If you really put your mind to it you should be able to come up with quite a few things. The fact that you woke up this morning is cause to be thankful because a lot of people didn’t. If you have a roof over your head, food on your table and clothes on your back there really shouldn’t be any complaints. Be gracious.

Some are in a hospital bed and others have no bed or a place to lay their heads. Think about that for a moment. If you’re still breathing and in your right mind that’s something to be grateful for. No matter how bad life may get or seem to be, there’s always a reason to be grateful.

What is Gratitude?

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Gratitude is the feeling of appreciation or thanks. It’s recognizing the bonus value for favourable things or positive life experiences for which we did not actively work towards or ask for. It’s something we should practice everyday. If you practice gratitude daily it could steady you and give you something to hold onto.

Gratitude is a feeling that comes from within. It’s a natural human response and it’s a choice. You choose to be grateful or not.

“Gratitude unlocks all that’s blocking us from really feeling authentic, vulnerable and happy” – Gabrielle Bernstein

Happiness is not about getting what you want all the time. It’s about loving what you have and being grateful for it.

Oprah Winfrey stated the single greatest thing you can do to change your life today would be to start being grateful for what you have right now.

Self reflection…

is a great way to determine what you’re grateful for. It can also change your mindset and attitude. Self-reflection helps you to determine your character, action and motives. Having bad times actually helps you to appreciate the good times.

If nothing bad has ever happened to you, you won’t appreciate and recognize the good. Keeping a gratitude journal can actually help you to recognize those things you should be thankful for.

So, can you think of one thing that you’re grateful for?

Take about 30 seconds to reflect and see what comes to mind. Start out everyday thinking of one thing you’re grateful for, write it down and watch your attitude change. Think about whatever that one thing is when you’re feeling down and it should help to pick you up for the rest of the day. Create an attitude of gratitude.

Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayers. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good – Maya Angelou

1 Thessalonians 5: 16 – 18

16 Rejoice always 17 Pray continually 18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus

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