Top 4 tips on keeping the spirit of gratitude in your life

Do you prefer listening over reading? If so, this post is available on medium.com to listen to the audio version.

Some days, life can feel like everything that could go wrong is going wrong.

It is easier to dwell on the negative aspects when encountering problems and areas to work on from left to right.

Instead of focusing on the negatives, let’s start embracing the positives and little wins happening to us daily!

How do we do that?

By using gratitude throughout our days, even the bad ones, where we don’t want to get out of bed and deal with our problems.

Gratitude helps you appreciate the little things in life. When you are always in a space of gratitude, you can identify the areas where you are already “Winning.”

If you can’t appreciate the good in your life now, how can you ask the universe to attract more? How can you enlarge your capacity for abundance if you aren’t grateful for your current lot?

Having perspective factors into what we are grateful for.

When we change what we are looking at, this helps what we are feeling in our psyche.

Today, you’ll learn some unique ways you can add to your toolbox to embrace gratitude regularly.

Tip 1: Gratitude Jar

Clean out the next pickle jar you have, then write out things you are thankful for on small sheets of paper and fill up the jar. You can do this slowly or daily once it is complete. When you need a moment of gratitude, pull out a piece of paper from the jar to have a jar of reminders of areas in your life where you are blessed.

Tip 2: Giving thanks to your Creator

Every day, when you journal or pray, start or end your entry by giving gratitude to God or whoever you believe in.

For example, one of my favorite sayings is Thank you, God, for everything you have done in the past, are doing currently in my life, and will do in the future.

This saying gives me a sense of peace because it reminds me of ways God has helped me develop resilience in the face of past problems, how he is protecting me now, and how he has a hand in carving out my future. Why worry about any problems when God is on your side? Not a good use of our energy!

Tip 3: Being kind to others.

Volunteer by giving out food at a homeless shelter, or start small by doing something kind without expecting anything from the person you are helping.

For example, if you know someone who is looking for a job. You have experience reviewing resumes, offer to help edit theirs, or if you know your neighbor has a hard time finding a ride or misses the bus due to demanding kids or schedule, you can offer a car ride on the way to work, doing these things are the cheat code to life, because it can put you in a positive mood. You feel like you are contributing to the community around you.

“Loving actions inspire loving feelings.”

Tip 4: What a time to be alive!

Every time you drive by a graveyard, turn your music/audiobook/podcast off and thank God for life, health, etc. I used to do this back in college, and since the pandemic started, I’ve picked back up this habit. We can live our lives every day we wake up, and remembering this blessing helps us develop gratitude, no matter the temporary circumstances.

These tips help you remain in a state of gratitude and keep you grounded no matter your status in life. Life can change instantly, and reflecting on good is much better than having no inner source to pull from.

If you have any tips on practicing gratitude in your own life, share them with our tribe members in the comments!