November 21, 2023
"Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts." - Henri Frederic Amiel
Thanksgiving is approaching and many of us are salivating on the thought of all the yummilicious food we'll be eating while fellowshipping with family and friends. Greens, candied yams, macaroni and cheese, green beans, dressing, sweet potato pie, cranberry sauce, etc....mmmm.
Also, this time of the year reminds us give thanks to reflect on the things we are grateful for. As a reminder, being grateful isn't something that should just be reserved for the 4th Thursday in November, we should make it a daily practice. As Melody Beattie said, "Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend." BE GRATEFUL.
Here are ten (10) prompts I'd like to share with you to help you stay in a space of gratitude this holiday season and beyond.
- What are three (3) things you are grateful for? Make this a daily practice and write them down each day.
- Express gratitude to at least one important person in your life. Challenge yourself to do this at least once a day.
- Go one full day without complaining. It's may seem difficult but if you focus on the positive things happening around you, it won't be.
- Think of a memory you are grateful for. Reflect on it or share it with a loved one.
- Make an effort to smile more today. Smiling is one of the best things you can do for your health and well-being. Smiling releases endorphins (natural mood boosters) and reduces stress. It boosts your immune system and makes you feel better. Say, "CHEESE!"
- Engage in a random act of kindness. Kindness has been shown to increase self-esteem, empathy and compassion and improve mood. Levels of serotonin and dopamine are boosted and this leads to feelings of satisfaction and well-being, and cause the pleasure and reward centers in your brain to light up.
- Think of a way someone helped you today. It can be something as small as someone who held the door open for you.
- Recognize three (3) things you usually take for granted. Ask yourself, "Why do you take these things for granted and how can you be more aware and appreciative?"
- What lesson in life are you most grateful for? Why is this lesson important and how has it impacted your life?
- Think of something great that has happened to you in the last week. The last month. The last year.
Remember these words from Zig Ziglar. "Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for."