3 Practices for LASTING Gratitude
Sadly it’s become a business jargon buzzword.
I took a break from most all forms of social media and emails over a 5-and-a-half-day span during the Thanksgiving holiday period. I wanted to focus on the real world and people right before me and my mind was ready for some non-digital, non-screen-related interactions.
When I dove into the immense email deluge upon my return last Monday, I found a common theme throughout all the many promotional emails I was weeding my way through -- Gratitude and Thankfulness. (Of course this was the case as Thanksgiving had just been upon us).
As those beautiful and important words were thrown around almost flippantly to promote sales - a desire grew in me to send out an email of my own after the dust settled to shed a new perspective on these words that have sadly become more white noise in the marketing world. Here’s what I shared:
#1: LOOK AROUND.
You have to both see it and know it before you can feel it.
Simple fact: we can't be grateful for something we don't know we have. If we're unaware - we can't acknowledge the blessings in our lives and we lose out on the many benefits connected to gratitude.
The best place to start is to simply LOOK for what makes your everyday life possible. If you're a person of faith - ask for help to 'open your eyes' to SEE the many gifts and blessings in your life.
So much can be found in the simple and mundane. Things and experiences to be grateful for are all around us happening all the time - we just need to notice them.
Enjoy the scent of that candle or hand soap you just used? Glad you even have a ledge to place a candle on and a way to keep your hands clean? Did a random video put a smile on your face or make you laugh out loud? Enjoy laughter when it comes. Take notice of your daily life existence to begin to see things in new ways.
"Counting your blessings….name them one by one" is a good mental exercise for a quick self-challenge. Stop what you're doing and try to think of ten things you're grateful for this very moment. Try to find new things each time you do this exercise or emphasize old things in new ways. You might be surprised by how many things you're able to come up with on the spot.
#2: FIND THE FRUIT.
Flip obligations into gifts.
We all have unavoidable responsibilities and obligations. Work and chores need to be completed and bills need to be paid.
Work ethic and the ability to work, create, and produce is itself a gift - but the ability to see the fruits of our labor - (the results of our energy and effort) - is a rewarding discipline.
For students who recently went through my workshop series: "Money Care Foundations with YNAB" I helped them develop a more trained eye for the 'gifts of life' by giving them a script to consider as they outlined their routine expenses: "I get to invest in (BLANK) for/because(BLANK)_."
For example: "I get to invest in my electric bill for a comfortable and inviting home." It can work for just about anything - even deodorant. Try it!
#3: USE YOUR WORDS!
People can’t read your mind and your mind needs to hear it too.
Last but not least - harness the power of words. (So much can be said on this topic - but I'll keep it brief).
We need to TELL people affirming things we appreciate about them so they can HEAR a truth about themselves they may not yet SEE. Just speaking these words will highlight and underline their importance in your mind and theirs.
People deserve to be acknowledged and noticed. Words of all sorts express love, care, and attention and can grow an attitude of gratitude.
A friend and mentor of mine demonstrates this so well as she opens up every training session she teaches by having her students acknowledge something they appreciate about another student. It helps everyone look for the best in others and see the best in themselves too. It's a beautiful experience to be a part of.
Don't keep your affirming words to yourself. They are a gift. Be generous with your words. Use your words!
Going deeper:
Thanks for reading. I hope this post has sparked some encouragement and creativity. If you'd like to start incorporating more gratitude into your financial life, just email me at carrie@brightsidefinancialcare.com and I'll send a link for a free 30-minute zero-pressure call.