Thanksgiving was this past week and that means we are now “officially” in the holiday season. While this Thanksgiving brought many blessings – distant family, a bountiful feast, even perfect weather – I endeavor to remember to give gratitude every day of the year.
If you’re reading this, you have the luxury of living a joyous life. That means recognizing your blessings and reminding yourself to that you have so much to be grateful for. And a funny thing happens along the way. Acknowledging those good things in your life only attracts more. And that leads to more goodness, and so on, and so on…
Here’s what I mean: The Stellar sleep app that I’m using to improve my quality of sleep, includes a gratitude journal. Now I’m not big into journaling, although I see the power in keeping a journal. I’ve just never started that habit. But a gratitude journal is quick and simple – just a few sentences of things you’re grateful for on that day. I have found that writing them down helps me to notice those delightful events, little and big, that come into my life on a daily basis. And the more I notice, the more I notice. So maybe it’s not a matter of attracting more, but of opening up to the goodness that already there, inviting more in. I’m not sure, but perhaps that’s the same thing?
To be more specific, I’ll boil it down, as I often do, into a few ways that showing gratitude attracts more into your life:
You’ll be thankful for the little things
When you’re in the gratitude mode, you’ll learn to see goodness in the smallest forms – a kind act from a stranger, a happy dog, just the right temperature of your tea. You become more aware of how fortunate you really are.
You’ll develop impeccable radar
If you often reflect on the fortunate events in your life, you’ll be able to spot a good opportunity a mile away. For example, you’ll notice a good opportunity to bring your family closer or when a job opens up that’s more in alignment with your ideals.
You’ll be more likely to help others
When you’re thankful for the bed you sleep in at night, the food on your plate, your home and your comfort, you’re well aware of your fortune. As a result, you’re more likely to jump at the opportunity to help others.
You’ll reach higher
You appreciate life more intensely when you’re grateful and you see each day as another chance to bring more joy into your life.
You’ll be more considerate of others
When you’re satisfied with your life and feel genuinely happy, you tend to treat others very kindly. You’ll be more likely to hold the door open for a stranger or pick up a fallen cane for someone. Your own happiness is magnified when you help bring joy to others.
Use this holiday season to make every day a personal day of Thanksgiving. Open up to the goodness around you, big and small, and watch it grow!
And while I’m on the gratitude kick, if you are a regular reader and have read this all the way to the end, and am always and forever grateful for you. See how that works?
Brooke
So true.
Thank you for the reminder today.