1. Smile often
A smile is a simple but powerful gift you can give to yourself and to others. A smile can lift your mood, stimulate your brain to release the happy hormones and boost your immune system. Smile because you’re grateful. Be grateful you can smile. Your smile is contagious. The whole world may not smile back at you but enough people will do so to start the ripple effect of gratitude.
2. Love your flaws.
Feelings of being flawed will steal your joy, rob you of your happiness and lower your self-confidence and self-esteem. Love your flaws. Give thanks for your flaws (real or imagined), This clears the pathway to transformation. Your self-confidence and self-esteem will soar.
3. Be fully present
Spend quality time with your friends and loved ones without the distractions of modern technology. (texting, social media, cell phone etc.).
4. Give genuine compliments.
If you look hard enough you’ll find something positive to say about everyone.
5. Show your appreciation
Acknowledge the impact others have made in your life. Let them know how much you appreciate them and the specific reason why.
6. Embrace your imperfections
Give yourself permission to make mistakes and allow yourself to learn and grow from them.
7. Be thankful for the simple things you have in your life
It’s easy to forget to be thankful for the things you take for granted – your coffee, the ability to brush your teeth, eating, talking etc. Reflect, be more intentional each day to give thanks for the things you take for granted.
8. Hug your loved ones
Research shows that hugging heals and builds trust. Build stronger connections with the people you are grateful to have in your life by hugging them frequently. (when you’re greeting them or saying goodbye, and when they need to be uplifted)
9. Journal
Write in a gratitude journal every day, even if you don’t feel like it.
10. Reframe your negative experiences
If you are open, you’ll see something positive even in the most horrific experiences.
11. Listen attentively
Listening is caring. Show that you are thankful for your interaction with others by giving them your undivided attention.
12. Step out of your comfort zone
Make someone’s life easier by doing something for that person that take’s you out of your comfort zone.
13. Celebrate the success of others
It’s not always about winning. Celebrate someone’s win even if you lost.
14. Money
Regardless of your current financial health, give thanks for the money you have. If you’re challenged financially, don’t focus on lack because you’ll attract more of the same.
15. Start your day with a gratitude mindset
Create a new habit to give thanks when you open your eyes in the morning. Starting your day with a gratitude mindset lays the foundation for a day of happiness, productivity, higher levels of self-confidence and limitless possibilities.
16. Watch your words
Words are powerful. They can heal or hurt. They can empower or humiliate. Even when someone makes you angry, take a moment to breathe into the anger before speaking. When you can, sleep on it before you respond.
17. Write it into existence
Make three lists of the top 5 things you desire. Keep one list next to your bed and read it before you go to sleep. Tape one list either on your refrigerator or next to the bathroom mirror where you can see it. Keep the other one in your wallet or purse and take it out and read it 2-3 times per day. Give thanks each time one of your desires show up and remove it from the list. You can add another desire to your list each time you remove one.
18. Speak it into existence
Each day, speak about your dreams and aspirations. Give thanks as if they’ve already been realized. Don’t pay attention to the naysayers and non-believers. Here’s an example – If you desire to leave your job to be an entrepreneur, each day speak this into the universe, “I am an entrepreneur and I am grateful.” Speak your desires to the universe with confidence and an unwavering belief they’ll be realized. Disconnect from the outcome and miracles will happen.
19. Conscious gratitude
Each day, make a conscious effort to be grateful for the people and things you take for granted. Be thankful for the people who manufactured the products in your home, from your tooth brush to your cell phone and everything in between. Be thankful for the food you eat and the farmers, workers, grocery stores and all that’s involved to make this food available to you. Be thankful for the streets and freeways. The stop signs. Your environment. Your world. Be thankful for ALL of your experiences (even the negative ones). You’ll transform your life.
20. Gratitude Meditation
Research has shown that gratitude meditations can be used to cultivate a gratitude mindset. They will help you to focus on what is right in your life instead of what you think is wrong. They will help you to see possibilities where presently you see none. They will help you to see positivity even in your darkest days. A gratitude meditation can be done in five minutes
21. Admit when you’ve done wrong or you’ve made a mistake
“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” – Albert Einstein.
Don’t allow your fear of being judged or not loved to influence you to lie about your mistakes. You’ll earn the respect from the people who are important to you when you admit you’ve made a mistake.They’ll be thankful for having you in their lives.
22. Ask for forgiveness
It takes courage to ask for forgiveness. Your ego sees forgiveness as a sign of weakness. The opposite is true. Be courageous and ask those you’ve done wrong to forgive you.
23. Forgive those who have done you wrong
“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” ~ Lewis B. Smedes
Liberate yourself from the shackles of the past to live more fully in the present by forgiving those who have done you wrong.This opens the door for you to live in gratitude.
24. Forgive yourself
Research has shown that it’s more difficult to forgive oneself than it is to forgive others. Self-forgiveness starts with self-acceptance. Accept that humans make mistakes. Accept that your past can’t be changed. Accept that you have the opportunity TODAY to create the past you choose to have. Treat yourself the way you’d treat your best friend. Show yourself compassion and forgive yourself for the things you now believe you should have done and the things you now believe you shouldn’t have done.
25. Don’t be afraid to look in the mirror
Use a mirror and look into your eyes while repeating 5 or more things you appreciate about yourself. Do this for 30 consecutive days. You’ll raise your conscious awareness of who you are and appreciate your uniqueness. You’ll feel empowered and your self-confidence will soar.
26. Be generous
Show your appreciation for those who serve you (waitresses, waiters etc) with a generous tip, or take the time to inform upper management about the excellent service that person provided.
27. Healing thoughts
If you know someone who.s challenged with their health, finances, relationship or something else, send them healing thoughts and positive vibrations. Find a quiet place and close your eyes for five minutes or more. Visualize or imagine this person sharing the good news that their “situation” has changed for the better. Allow yourself to feel excited and appreciative. Open your eyes and give thanks for the positive outcome.
28. Give your time
Give your time to your favorite organization. If you love children, visit them in the hospital. If you love animals, volunteer at an animal shelter. If you want to help the elderly, explore the different ways you can help them in your community. If the environment calls to you, research how you can make a difference in your community or the world.
29. Share your knowledge, skill or talent
Help those (individuals, groups, organizations) who will benefit from the knowledge you have gained, the skills you’ve learned or the talent you were born with.
30. Thank you
Thank you, two words that are powerful enough to bring peace, inspire and motivate others, and release happy hormones. Be intentional in using these words to show your appreciation and create good will. Thank you, opens the door to others and invites them to come in.
“When you practice gratefulness, there is a sense of respect toward others.” – Dalai Lama
It’s a wrap
Share your thoughts on gratitude and if you’d like to have a one-on-one conversation on how to be more appreciative instead of being overly reactive, contact me here
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