The Gratitude List
When we talk about gratitude, often two words come to mind – Thank You. I believe appreciating the people in our lives is key to inspiration. Being appreciated is too.
Harvard Health Publishing offers the following:
Gratitude is a way for people to appreciate what they have instead of always reaching for something new in the hopes it will make them happier or thinking they can’t feel satisfied until every physical and material need is met. Gratitude helps people refocus on what they have instead of what they lack. And, although it may feel contrived at first, this mental state grows stronger with use and practice.
Here are some ways to cultivate gratitude on a regular basis:
- Write a thank-you note. You can make yourself happier and nurture your relationship with another person by writing a thank-you letter or email expressing your enjoyment and appreciation of that person’s impact on your life. Send it or, better yet, deliver and read it in person if possible. Make a habit of sending at least one gratitude letter a month. Once in a while, write one to yourself.
- Thank someone mentally. No time to write? It may help just to think about someone who has done something nice for you, and mentally thank the individual.
- Keep a gratitude journal. Make it a habit to write down or share with a loved one thoughts about the gifts you’ve received each day. Count your blessings. Pick a time every week to sit down and write about your blessings — reflecting on what went right or what you are grateful for. Sometimes it helps to pick a number — such as three to five things — that you will identify each week. As you write, be specific and think about the sensations you felt when something good happened to you.
- Pray. People who are religious can use prayer to cultivate gratitude. Meditate. Mindfulness meditation involves focusing on the present moment without judgment. Although people often focus on a word or phrase (such as “peace”), it is also possible to focus on what you’re grateful for (the warmth of the sun, a pleasant sound, etc.).
I started “The Gratitude List” in my early recovery, and I now share it regularly with the folks in our Hope & Support Groups and on my personal Facebook page. I believe gratitude resonates on a deeply personal level, but sharing it can inspire us to perform kind acts for others, improve our relationships, connect us more closely to the people around us, and practice humility. It can encourage us to make progress toward our goals. As we sift, sort and navigate the waters of gratitude together, we find a space where inspiration, hope, peace, resilience and love grows. Together WE are Stronger!
(Originally published in the December 2021 Newsletter)