As we prepare for Thanksgiving, the time of year, we reflect on what we are grateful for and express our appreciation. We must understand how impactful a daily gratitude practice can be, including sharing thank you with others.
Thanksgiving is a national holiday when family and friends celebrate the harvest and blessings of the past year. Giving thanks and celebrating Gratitude on Thanksgiving is essential, and it should happen regularly.
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For some, speaking of the things we are grateful for in our life happens yearly at the Thanksgiving dinner table. Our lives positively change when we practise Gratitude repeatedly. "By adopting an attitude of Gratitude every day of the year, we can enhance our happiness and overall sense of well-being. Once we feel it, we want to reach out and help others. When saying the words "thank you" to the person who pours your morning cup of coffee, you are practising Gratitude.
Why Practicing Gratitude and Showing Appreciation on Thanksgiving and Every Day is Critical
Ways You Can Foster Gratitude.
When writing my first book, Giving Back: How to Find Your Personal Joy and Make a Difference to Others, I shared gratitude's positive impact on life and increased joy.
Practising gratitude is the catalyst for increasing joy in your life. A little appreciation goes a long way toward changing someone's day and fosters a culture of appreciation. Author Roy Saunderson says, and I agree, "Never neglect to say thank you, no matter what you give." Thank you is extremely powerful, and it's so simple!
Simple Suggestions to Demonstrate Your Gratitude.
- Express your appreciation to the person who opens the door for you.
- Send a thank-you or thinking of you card to a friend or colleague.
- Place a flower on a colleague's desk.
- Buy a cup of coffee or a snack for the person in line behind you.
- Say the words "thank you" often each day as an expression of your gratitude.
What Living With COVID-19 Taught Us About Gratitude.
The novel coronavirus has evoked many emotions in us, including fear, a strong emotion and a reasonable reaction considering the gravity of the situation. As we worked through this and other emotions, many of us began to spend time contemplating our lives. This practice encourages us to be mindful, live in the moment, and appreciate the many things we are grateful for, including friends and family.
COVID-19 has offered many lessons and experiences to appreciate all we have to be grateful for in our life. Sometimes, we have to lose things and miss opportunities to understand what we had and what is essential in our lives. Today, our lives are still considerably affected by COVID, things in many cases are not as they were before, but we must be grateful for the improvements, as minor as they may be.
The Profound Power of Saying Thank You!
Let's not forget as we prepare for Thanksgiving to embrace life, recognize the bounty, and share it. Remember the positive impact on your life and others when you express your appreciation and say thank you regularly, not just on Thanksgiving.
Without question, practising gratitude daily is life-changing. Sharing our appreciation when we're feeling grateful is the perfect act, especially when authentically using the powerful words." thank you."
This Thanksgiving, let's embrace life, recognize our abundance and share it. We have the power to increase joy in our life by practising gratitude. We can start by being grateful for the small gestures and experiences each day brings us. Be sure to check out many more motivational blogs here.
This article was originally published on September 30, 2017, and has been updated (October 2021).
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