Two Steps to Thanksgiving Every Day
I won't lie- I could be better about my gratitude practice.For a while I was keeping a gratitude journal, writing down seemingly simple things I would normally take for granted.The act of acknowledging these things on paper would remind me that everything in life is a gift.As we get into the holiday season, it's easy to get distracted by commercials that tell you that you can't make food for your family without the latest food processor; that instead of telling someone you love them, you should just buy them an extravagant gift; or time spent together as a family consists of kids lost in video games, and adults lost in the TV in the other room.This season, I want to make it a point to actually let the people in my life know how much they mean to me.Not through gifts.Not through just showing up and eating their food.By telling them.By showing them.I want to practice gratitude with the things I take for granted.The old school 60s refrigerator that still keeps my food from going bad. The running water in my apartment that many people would kill for. The ability to swing a kettle bell, go for a run, or balance on a surf board.You don't need a gratitude journal for this and it doesn't have to be the holiday season.All you need is the awareness and consciousness to realize that we are all privileged. We are all so lucky to have the things we have.Look at the people in your life.Who are you grateful for?What do you do every day that others only wish for?Things you have that you don't think twice about that make your life easier?This post only requires two steps:Tell someone every day how important they are to you.Once a day, express gratitude in a deliberate way for one thing that you usually take for granted.Even though Thanksgiving has passed, the spirit of being thankful can- and should- last the whole year.Will you want to hold on to the spirit of gratitude the whole year round? How do you practice gratitude daily? I would love to hear what's worked for you in the past! And if you have any questions, always feel free to ask here!