The practice of thankfulness as a tool for growth and contentment is well known. Long-term studies show that an ongoing attitude of thankfulness results in greater success at work, better health and a sense of well-being.

While you and I may know the benefits of an attitude of thankfulness, it’s difficult to sustain on a daily basis. So many of us are on autopilot and can instantly recognize what’s broken, unfinished or lacking in our lives. For thankfulness to fully impact our lives, it needs to become more than just a once in a while habit. We have to learn to make it an unbreakable habit in our lives and that takes time and intention.

That’s why practicing thankfulness makes so much sense. When we ‘practice’, we give ourselves permission to grow in the thing in which we practice. Instead of the knee jerk reaction of voicing a complaint about what’s missing or lacking, we give ourselves permission to find what’s going well, where the opportunity lies or what the hidden blessing may be.

Being thankful is about changing our perspective, proactively deciding where we put our focus and attention. It’s not about ignoring the hard things because there will always be challenges. Hard things will come into our lives but to focus on finding the things to be grateful for brings balance and hope. 

There are many things I am thankful for this season: personal growth through difficult times, beautiful fall weather and changing leaves, meaningful conversation with family and friends, new birth and weddings that bring more people into my family and my life. I’m especially thankful for you.

What’s on your list?

Ways to Practice Thankfulness

  • Keep a list of things you’re thankful for and regularly add to it. Keep the list visible to keep it top of mind.
  • Make a habit of saying what you’re thankful for at the dinner table or make it a routine at any time during the day. Pick a time daily and recall what your thankful for if you’re alone.
  • Pay attention to your thoughts, when you feel like you’re about to complain, stop – redirect and reframe your thoughts. Add to your list.
  • Challenge yourself to find a hidden blessing in a difficult situation.

If you can’t think of anything to be genuinely thankful or grateful for, look around you and think smaller and smaller until you can come up with at least one thing. Stretch yourself to come up with five things, one for every finger on your hand. One time I remember being thankful for the chair I was sitting in. It was a small thing, but it gave me perspective about how much I had in life even when I had seemingly devastating circumstances around me.

Take it Forward

Being thankful helps put the focus on what’s most important in your life. Notice how your attitude shifts as you intentionally become more thankful. You may be delighted to discover how hopeful you are feeling.

How can you make thankfulness a regular habit?