Sheri here –
Did you know that September 21 every year is designated World Gratitude Day – since 1965. A day dedicated world-wide for expressing appreciation for all we’ve got to be thankful for.
Until recently I didn’t realize that Gratitude had an “official” day. For me, gratitude is a daily practice. It is an opportunity to pause, look around my own life and acknowledge all of life’s blessings – no matter the circumstances.
Gratitude Practice
Ciscero, a Roman senator and philosopher who lived around 60 BC was an early advocate of gratitude. He called Gratitude “the Queen of all Virtues and the parent of all other virtues.” While the language is a bit archaic you get the idea!
Gratitude is also basic premise in each of the world’s major religions. So, there must be something to this gratitude business.
Yet, I was clueless until my mid 30s about this major life principle. It took some personally tough times to discover the value of gratitude. But we learn what we need to learn, when we need to learn it – maybe now is your time.
Maybe your experience was different, and you already know about the benefits of a gratitude practice. If so, then may this just be a reminder!
If not, why not try an experiment?
Count Your Blessings
Try a gratitude practice for 30 days and see if things don’t change for you. What have you got to lose?
It’s remarkably simple. Once a day, either in the morning or evening or both if you are really ambitious, take a piece of paper and write 3 things for which you are grateful.
These three things could be as simple as having a bed to sleep in, food in your refrigerator, a roof over your head, a beautiful sunset or flower. You get the idea.
It can be the simple blessings in your life. It could be the kindness of a stranger. The everyday blessings, that you take for granted every day and that go relatively unnoticed until you focus.
When you look closely you will find lots of blessings surrounding you. The more you look, the more you’ll see.
Giving Thanks and The Benefits
Acknowledging your blessings are a way of thanking the Universe, of thanking God, and the more you thank, the more you are given to be thankful for.
What is your response when you are appreciated and thanked, aren’t you likely to be even more generous? It’s been my experience after using a regular gratitude practice, that the blessings flow – so God or the Universe must also appreciate the acknowledgment.
Maybe we just notice the blessings in our life more; but, maybe there really are more. Do you want to take a chance on missing out?
Who knows what blessings may come your way when you say thank you?
It’s simple, just try the gratitude practice – writing 3 to 5 things you appreciate for 30 days and see what changes.
Even if your circumstances don’t change, your attitude might be more positive. Maybe you’ll find you’re a bit happier or you’re smiling more. A more positive attitude makes dealing with the rest of life just a little easier! Who knows what could happen?
What do you say? I challenge you – keep track in writing for 30 days, 3 to 5 things a day that are blessings in your life. See what happens!
Ciao,
Sheri
P.S. Leave one or two of your favorite blessings in the comment below!
P.P.S. If you’d like a little more information on Gratitude you can check it out here
