Practice a gratitude ritual each day. Gratitude is one of the best ways to find contentment.
We are often discontent in our lives, desire more, because we do not realize how much we have. Instead of focusing on what you do not have, be grateful for the amazing gifts you have been given: of loved ones and simple pleasures – small things that make you happy, of health and sight and the gift of music and business books, of nature and beauty and the ability to create, and everything in between. Be grateful every day.
Why is gratitude important?
Gratitude reminds you of the positive things in your life. It makes you happy about the people in your life, whether they are loved ones or just a stranger you met who was kind to you in some ways.
Gratitude turns bad things into good things. Having problems at work? Be grateful you have work. Be grateful you have challenges, and that life is not boring. Be grateful that you can learn from these challenges. Be thankful they make you a stronger person.
Gratitude reminds you of what important is. It is hard to complain about the little things when you give thanks that your children are alive and healthy. It is hard to get stressed out over paying bills when you are grateful there is a roof over your head.
How to practice gratitude?
1. Commit to a 5-minute gratitude session each morning (or right before you go to bed).
2. Simply sit in a spot with no distractions, close your eyes, and think about what you are grateful for and who you are grateful for. Then smile. And smile one more time.
3. Also take a second to give thanks for ‘negative’ things in your life. There are always two ways to look at something. Many times we think of something as negative — it is stressful, harmful, sad, unfortunate, difficult. But that same thing can be looked at in a more positive way. Giving thanks for those things is a great way to remind yourself that there is good in just about everything. Problems can be seen as opportunities to grow, to be creative.
4. Say ‘Thank you!’ more often — when someone does something nice for you, however small, try to remember to say thank you. Something that Steve did for my wife several years ago. And really mean it.
