If you want to be happier, practice gratitude. Daily.
That’s a big statement I know. It sounds so simplistic. It is. And it isn’t.
It can be raw and confronting. It can be blissful and joyous.
However you look at it though, practicing gratitude daily is a beautiful gift, that keeps on giving.
It costs nothing, it only takes 10mins out of the whole 24hrs you have in a day, and it can be done anywhere.
Practicing gratitude is a powerful tool that benefits not only your mindset (and by default your self-belief and self-worth), but has also been shown to have tangible physical and social benefits when practiced regularly.
Gratitude is not just being thankful for something – it is a thought, a feeling, a way of being. It’s being grateful for what you have, the good and the perceived not so good. It’s the words used to verbalise the WHAT you are grateful for but more importantly the WHY. It’s the subtle shift in your thoughts that come with the power of positive energy. It’s the feelings you have of security and love and acceptance when you let the Universe know WHY you are grateful for something.
You can be grateful for literally anything. It can be from the past, it can be in the present or if you really want to knock it out the park, express your gratitude for something that has yet to happen. When you express your gratitude for something in the future, you are setting a very clear intention of your self-belief and self-worth. What you are telling yourself is that you have total trust and belief in your abilities to make this happen. That you are worthy of receiving whatever it is you are already grateful for. When this happens the power of your positive energy naturally gravitates you to focus on this preferred outcome.
Being grateful takes practice and commitment. Consistency is the key. The positive effects of gratitude are like compound interest. Daily they may not add up to a lot, but over weeks and months and years the effects compound to affect immense change.
No matter your situation, there is always something to be grateful for. When you first start practicing gratitude it can be quite challenging coming up with even 5 things you are grateful for and why. For me the real power is in the why. It is easy to reel off a list of things we are grateful for, however the digging deep happens when we question the why. It is the why that gives you that warm hug, that knowing smile and that feeling of contentment. It all starts with the why.
By nature we tend to be over judgemental when it comes to our bodies. Sadly, this is far more common in women than in men. For my clients this is where I really get to see those first rays of self-belief, self-worth and self-love shine though.
Let’s use our legs for example. When I ask women to describe their legs the default go to is negative…wobbly, full of cellulite, ugly, I hate them. Let’s reframe that with gratitude….
- I am so grateful for my beautiful legs as they allowed me to run around the yard with my kids this afternoon. Their squeals of laughter as I chased them filled my soul with love.
- Thank you, thank you, thank you for my beautiful legs. Today these legs walked me to my favourite café where I chatted with one of my dearest friends. My cup is now full.
- I am truly blessed to have these beautiful legs as everyday they cycle me to the job that enables me to provide for my family. What a gift that is.
You see where I am going with this….there is ALWAYS something to be grateful for. All we have to do is look for it.
My challenge to you is this….for the next 14 days, commit to practicing gratitude every morning. Allow yourself 10mins to write down 5 things you are grateful for and WHY. Start each line with one of the below:
- I am so grateful for
- Thank you, thank you, thank you
- I am truly blessed
After 14 days, re-read what you have written. I already know how amazing this is going to make you feel 😊
I would love to hear your feedback on the difference this has made to your daily life, so please comment in the box below.
Be kind. Stay fabulous! Big hugs,
Suz xx