Times are difficult. Everyone knows this. But all too often, we become so bogged down by and so focused on what is not going well, that we forget to be grateful for the things that are going well. There is a quote that is attributed to Buddha that says basically, if we’re not dead, we have a lot to be thankful for. Yes, it may sound rather simplistic, and maybe even a little silly, but it is nonetheless very true! Every day of your life blessings come to you that make your life better in some way. Perhaps not today, then tomorrow or the next day or the next…. So it is important to yourself, and to everyone around you that you learn to rejoice, be glad and be grateful!
Big benefits come from showing appreciation
1. When you feel gratitude, your blessings multiply. Feeling grateful for the good things in your life tends to attract even more good things to you.
2. When you show gratitude, your friends multiply. Every person alive has the basic need of feeling appreciated. When you fulfill that need for someone, you bring great joy and happiness into both of your lives. As a result, showing your appreciation to others draws them closer to you and, in turn, they feel more inclined to bless and favor you.
3. Showing your gratitude brings you more success in both your personal and your professional life.
- Your family ties are strengthened.
- Friends, co-workers, and business associates become more loyal.
- Your relationship with your significant other becomes more enduring and passionate.
Does this mean that if you want some of these benefits you need to spend you whole day running around like some type of gratitude hound? Absolutely not!!! Showing the people in your life sincere gratitude and appreciation is much easier than you think. For the next three days, we will focus on some really simple ways to easily and effectively show gratitude to the people in your life. And when you show others that you care for and about them, then everyone reaps the benefits!
Give thanks for your blessings
Every single day, you need to remember to give thanks to your Creator/ maker for the many opportunities, successes, and life lessons that come your way. Each day brings you new things to be thankful for as well as brand new opportunities to make your life even more wonderful. If the sun rises, it’s a good day!
Count. Count your blessings. Each day, just after you wake up and before going to bed, count your blessings, feel gratitude, and give thanks.
Journal. Keep a gratitude journal. Ask yourself, “What good things happened to me today?” List them in your journal, reflect on them and write about them. This will also give you some uplifting feedback when you feel your days are not going so well.
Help someone. Use your talents to help people. You have been given many unique qualities, gifts and talents. Sharing your gifts with those who may be less fortunate is an excellent way to show your gratitude for the blessings you have received. While it helps others, it will also bring satisfaction and fulfillment to you as well.
- Give a portion of your money or time to those who are in need.
- Volunteer at a local school, library, shelter, food bank, or community organization.
- Get involved in a cause that you feel passionately about and do whatever you can to help.
Shower your significant other with gratitude
Now that I’ve got your attention with the first three words, let’s talk more about how you can show gratitude to your significant other/ spouse/ mate/ “Boo”. There are plenty of opportunities built into every day to let your partner know how much you appreciate them. And to avoid needing to write all the terms, I will use the abbreviation, S.O. for significant other.
One of the great things about this is that once you start showing your appreciation to your S.O., they will usually respond by showing more gratitude to you! Wow! Don’t you just love to feel appreciated? So do they.
1. When your S.O. helps you with the household chores, don’t always act as if you are taking them and it for granted. Show your appreciation: “Thank you for doing the dishes. I really appreciate it! It gave me some time to relax.”
2. Even when your S.O. messes up something that they are trying to do for you, remember that it is truly the thought that counts. For example, if the food is a little overcooked, be sure to thank them anyway. If it’s still edible, eat it, and praise their efforts.
3. If they call to say they’ll be late, rather than blowing your stack, be thankful that they let you know about it: “Thanks for calling to let me know.”
4. When you see that your S.O. is really beat, offer to do their chores rather than waiting to be asked.
5. Leave “Thank You” notes where your S.O. will find them throughout the day. Thank them for anything and everything.
What’s your favorite way to show your S.O. that they are appreciated?
See you tomorrow, as we continue to talk about ways to show gratitude…
photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliejordanscott/5825403720/sizes/z/in/photostream/
Related articles
