Intentional Gratitude

Gratitude is a popular buzzword that is often used out of context. In the present-day self-help culture, concepts like gratitude, intention, wellness, wholeness, and actualization describe a need to be present in the moment. It focuses on awareness and finding the energy in yourself to be the steering power in your existence.

I want to propose a different attitude to gratitude. I was made aware of this whenI first read the New York bestseller 1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp. In her book,she proposes an attitude shift to living to be aware of even the most minor things to be grateful for. Listing at least three things you are thankful for daily adds up to 1000 gratitude gifts in a year.

The proposition of focusing on the minor elements to be grateful for is an excellent place to start cultivating an attitude of gratitude. To be observant of the morning sun shining on the kitchen table. The sound of the breeze through the autumn leaves and the taste of a warm cup of tea after a long day are all examples of small but meaningful gratitude gifts.

The concept of experiencing the glass as half full or half empty is another way of explaining what gratitude means. Being thankful and mindful is much more than a simple habit. Eventually, it changes our speech, approach, and outlook. What you observe and choose to verbalize creates new brain paths. It becomes your truth over time. I do not propose repeating meaningless words for 21 days to create a new habit. The proposition I offer is to change how you observe the world.

This way of observation does not change all the negative and bad things around us.It does have the power to change our internal landscape. Gratitude for the big and minute stuff in our lives creates a new perspective that grows into an attitude and eventually ingrains itself in our personalities. It can influence how others perceive us and our ability to perceive others with grace and kindness.

Like most things in life, perceived gratitude must be practiced. When it eventually becomes a habit, it happens more naturally. Up until that point, the practice is a bit more mechanical. One of the best ways to exercise gratitude muscles is by keeping a gratitude journal. It need not be more than a notebook and pencil in a prominent place at home and work. Please don’t make the mistake of thinking that you will remember to write it down later. The best time to do it is when you think of or observe something you are grateful for. As the list grows, you will become more observant, and the emotional benefit of these observations will become more apparent.

Find our printable gratitude journal in free downloads.