If you’re grounded in gratitude, you’ll inherently experience more joy (and less stress) as you navigate the roads of life. Because when you’re conscious of the treasure within and around you, you’ll find inner peace or contentment, regardless of life circumstances. This article shares seven practical ways to grow your gratitude, expanding your ability to perceive all the beauty in your life.
What Are the Components of Gratitude?
- Acknowledging the kindness that others (family, friends, strangers) bestow upon us is an integral aspect of appreciation.
- Another central element of gratitude is recognizing the blessings we already have within our lives (the beauty within and around us).
Grateful Hearts Find the Light
Life ebbs and flows. When there’s a harmonious flow, we typically feel an increased sense of purpose and inspiration; it seems effortless to feel content within our lives. On the other hand, it can be challenging to see the bright side of things when it seems we’re going against the current. Though, whether ebbing or flowing, life is life; it happens. We can choose our mindset as life happens.
When living in gratitude, we seek solutions or acceptance when life ebbs. And even though we may temporarily feel down or troubled, we refocus on positive aspects within our lives. We also notice the blessings within life’s lessons, allowing gratefulness to lift us. We go with the flow, forging ahead, finding our light (and purpose).
Living with Gratitude Promotes Wellness
Grateful hearts also find better health. Encompassing gratitude boosts positive emotions, impacting our overall mindset toward ourselves and others in life. Living with gratitude improves mental and physical health, enhances relationships, and decreases stress, contributing to your overall well-being!
Attitude of Gratitude
The habit of gratefulness is life-rendering (for you and everyone within your life). The attitude of gratitude may come naturally to some folks, yet everyone can benefit from expanding or deepening their gratefulness. Below you’ll find seven practical ways to grow your gratitude!
7 Practical Ways to Grow Your Gratitude
- Celebrate the moments.
Focus on simple pleasures. Whether smelling the first flowers of spring, experiencing a beautiful sunset, or thoroughly enjoying the company of a loved one, when we slow down and relish moments, we celebrate them.
- Show appreciation through words and actions.
Freely express gratefulness through words and actions. Declare to your loved ones your appreciation of them regularly. Convey to them how they positively impact you and add value to your life.
Also, inform co-workers, friends, and acquaintances of your pure appreciation of them. Of course, words aren’t the only way we can relay our gratefulness to others. Gestures of appreciation are meaningful too (such as thoughtful gift-giving, hugs, hand-written letters, etc.). The more we show gratitude, the more we grow gratitude!
- Embrace growth (and welcome change).
There will be turbulent times in our lives, but we can choose to focus on growth and possibilities rather than dwelling on dismal outcomes when tested by such turbulence. You may not be able to control some of the events occurring in your life. However, you can control your thoughts and response.
Consider the reasons and possibilities behind occurrences— let your thinking flow to the good, to the best outcome. Acknowledge your feelings, but don’t dwell in sorrowful emotions. Instead, allow your lessons to become your blessings. When we embrace growth and welcome change, we gravitate toward thankfulness.
- Keep a gratitude journal.
In good times or otherwise, we should often take stock of the treasures we already “possess” within our lives. A gratitude journal reminds us of these treasures, nurturing thankfulness. You can add to or reflect upon your journal daily, weekly, or as things occur to you. Some folks merely compose a top-ten list daily. There’s no wrong way to keep a journal; it’s all about preference (for further tips on gratitude journaling, you can read more here).
- Know your worth: practice self-gratitude.
Knowing the worth of others and declaring our appreciation are sure-fire ways to build gratitude. But we mustn’t forget to find aspects within ourselves that we appreciate. So take some time to reflect on elements of yourself that you love. For example, do you have a unique sense of humor that lifts others? Do you always see the good in all? Are you flourishing in life-changing ways? Honoring the beauty within yourself greatly elevates your state of gratefulness.
- Radiate kindness.
In words or actions, kindness generates gratitude in both the giver and the receiver—so dole out kindness as much as possible; everyone benefits. For example, donating your time, money, or services to those in need are profound acts of kindness. However, opportunities arise every day in which we can show kindness (and build gratitude). For example, noticing and praising someone’s good qualities or talents can be an unprecedented act of kindness.
Being an active listener (especially when someone opens up to you) is another meaningful heart act. And let’s not forget random acts of kindness, such as paying for the toll (or coffee) of the person behind you, helping a stranger carry their heavy bags, or picking up litter strewn in nature. These spontaneous, heartfelt acts cause us and others to glow with gratitude.
- Be more mindful.
We can listen to our grateful hearts more readily, in the calm of the present moment. Being present (i.e., mindful) enables you to perceive your blessings the natural beauty within and around you.
Plus, present-moment awareness provides insight when facing adversity, keeping our pessimistic thoughts at bay while promoting ideas of growth and gratitude.
Grounded In Gratitude
The ups and downs of life are all part of your journey. Keep savoring the magnificent scenery during the ups. Yet, strive to realize the beauty within the downs. As you become grounded in gratitude, you see life for what it is—a gift.
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