Happy World Gratitude Day!

Gratitude: the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. 

Happy World Gratitude Day! 

September has become one of my favorite months of the year and now I can add World Gratitude Day to the reasons!

In 2013, My friend and I read "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp and it truly challenged me to have a daily mindset of Gratitude. As a result, I started a Gratitude Journal and have been recording what I am thankful for every since.  I made it to 1,000 recorded items and I have continued the practice. It is so true that there is always something to be thankful for!

I started the Gratitude Journal Journey by transferring a 3x5 card I carried in my Bible. The list was one I started many years ago of general items I was thankful for. After I finished the 1,000 thankful List, I incorporated the practice over to my daily planner. It is a good reminder to do it each day! I love how it records Gratitude and at the same day shows what went on that day.

I truly believe life is about the little things.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 is one of my Life Verses. There is one thing we can know for sure when it comes to God's will for our life. It is to: "Give thanks in all circumstances." We can learn to incorporate a life of thanks giving in our every day life that will bring us many good benefits.

How to incorporate Gratitude into your daily life:

1.     Accept the "One Thousand Gifts" challenge and start recording what you are thankful for everyday. Write it down on paper or start a new journal dedicated to Gratitude.

2.     Look around at the small things that spark joy and happiness in your daily life. This could be your favorite coffee or tea, a flower blooming, time alone, time in nature, someone did something for you, you found a good deal, you discovered a new food place, ate your favorite meal, etc.

3.     Take time to reflect over your day to record what you are thankful for. Ex: Before going to bed each night.

4.     Take pictures of what you are thankful for and post on Instagram or facebook.

5.     Write 2-3 things you are thankful for in your daily planner or on your calendar.

6.     Look up Bible Verses about Gratitude and thankfulness. Write them out, meditate on them. Memorize. Share

7.     Look up Gratitude Quotes and incorporate them into your life. Print them out, write them in your journal or in your planner,  post it somewhere you can see it, share on social media.

8.     Express your Gratitude to your Family, Friends and Co-workers. Express them verbally or write a special note to someone. Give them a little treat with the words of Gratitude.

9.     Focus on what you have instead of what you don't have. Try to make an effort to find something in your current situation to be thankful for.

10.     Most importantly, try to live in the moment. Look around. You have a roof over your head, food in the fridge, your health, loved ones around you, children you love, a job, transportation, etc. You have many little things to be thankful for.

The Benefits of cultivating a mind and heart of Gratitude:

1.     You begin to find yourself looking around for more things to be thankful for.
2.     Your mind begins to spin the negative to a positive
3.     Keeps you in a better mood. You see the positive in the midst of the hard things.
4.     Allows you to be appreciative of everything you do have in life.
5.     Helps you to persevere through the hard times.
6.     Changes your focus to the good of the day, even when it may have been rough.
7.     God can easily work through a thankful heart
8.     You can see all the good things in your life.
9.     You can begin to see God working in your life.
10.   Your heart will be full of Gratitude that you can easily extend kindness to others.

How is Gratitude been a part of your life? What are you most thankful for? What are other ways to incorporate Gratitude in life?

Enjoy and have fun!

Prayers ❤
-Amber

Gratitude. (2017). Dictionary. Retrieved from Google.