How to Practice Daily Gratitude
by Markell R. Morris, Futures in Motion, Inc.
Gratitude unlocks peace, joy, and opportunity
What are you grateful for?
When you're facing challenging circumstances it's hard to be grateful and hope for a better future.
I often share that I’ve experienced significant personal losses that for a time put a damper on my hope and optimism. I was angry, sad, discouraged and had no hope. I was miserable and just trying to get through the days. I was surviving. But, I didn’t want to live that way anymore, so I started reading about and hearing about others who’ve overcome adversity.
I read biographies about people who are known throughout the world- Oprah, Tony Robbins, Brene Brown, Richard Branson to name a few. I also talked to ordinary people doing extraordinary things on the local level. What they all had in common was gratitude. They were grateful for life itself, for opportunities, for the people in their lives, for their gifts and talents. They also talked about the daily habits they established to foster and maintain a sense of gratitude.
I learned that gratitude is the cornerstone of peace, joy and opportunity. Without gratitude for the little things, we can’t appreciate and recognize the big things. When you’re in a less than desirable job with a bad boss, difficult co-workers or clients, long days and any number of challenging circumstances, gratitude doesn’t come easily. I know that first hand.
Fortunately, an attitude of gratitude is a habit that can be cultivated.
When you're facing challenging circumstances it's hard to be grateful and hope for a better future.
I often share that I’ve experienced significant personal losses that for a time put a damper on my hope and optimism. I was angry, sad, discouraged and had no hope. I was miserable and just trying to get through the days. I was surviving. But, I didn’t want to live that way anymore, so I started reading about and hearing about others who’ve overcome adversity.
I read biographies about people who are known throughout the world- Oprah, Tony Robbins, Brene Brown, Richard Branson to name a few. I also talked to ordinary people doing extraordinary things on the local level. What they all had in common was gratitude. They were grateful for life itself, for opportunities, for the people in their lives, for their gifts and talents. They also talked about the daily habits they established to foster and maintain a sense of gratitude.
I learned that gratitude is the cornerstone of peace, joy and opportunity. Without gratitude for the little things, we can’t appreciate and recognize the big things. When you’re in a less than desirable job with a bad boss, difficult co-workers or clients, long days and any number of challenging circumstances, gratitude doesn’t come easily. I know that first hand.
Fortunately, an attitude of gratitude is a habit that can be cultivated.
Imagine how your life would improve if reflecting on what you’re grateful for was a daily habit?
To start building a daily gratitude habit, you can start a gratitude journal.
- Get a dedicated notebook. Nothing fancy, you can buy one at DollarTree.
- For the next 30 days, every morning before you start your day and every night before you go to bed, write something you’re grateful for.
By doing this, you’re training your brain to focus on positive areas of your life. What you have not want you lack. What is going well not what isn’t working out.
Once you get into the habit, your attitude will change significantly. You’ll also notice positive changes in your overall well being, energy, creativity and relationships. Hope and joy will grow.
If this isn’t something you’re already doing, I highly recommend starting. If you already do this, keep going!
Gratitude Challenge: For the next 30 days, keep a gratitude journal and record what you are grateful for each day.
Markell R. Morris is an international speaker, career counselor and job search coach based in Long Beach, CA. Her mission is to help frustrated career changers get excited about their life and career after loss and personal challenges. She has created career programs and resources that help her clients gain a sense of direction and hope, so they can go after their goals with confidence. Download her free ebook, Create a Career You Love, for career advice to discover your meaningful career path.
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