It’s November, Gratitude Month. A time to go inward and reflect on the things that matter most and those things we’re thankful for. A focus on gratitude helps us to be in a state of abundance rather than scarcity.
Benefits
As it turns out, a practice of regular gratitude is good for you. People who have a regular practice have healthier relationships, happier memories, greater self-esteem, more energy, increase their income, are sick less often, are less depressed, sleep better, exercise more, and even live longer. Essentially, the more grateful we are, the happier we are.
Teaching gratitude
If you’re a parent or teacher, modeling an attitude of gratitude is tremendously powerful and contagious. We constantly teach by example. Unfortunately, modeling an attitude of scarcity and negativity is also contagious. We get to choose how we want to show up and what we want to teach, and hopefully we choose wisely.
Try this
Here’s an easy exercise you can use to increase the gratitude you experience. Get a new notebook or journal and label it, “Gratitude Journal.” Personalize it as you wish and only ever use it to write gratitude lists or positive thoughts. Then, for the next 30 days, start and end each day writing 3 or more things you are grateful for. If that’s too much, try it for just 3 days. I have been writing gratitude lists intermittently for years and it’s been a game-changer for me. Sometimes I write a short bullet list, sometimes I write with a bit of depth. Either way works. Here’s mine from yesterday:
November 22, 2014, Morning
I’m grateful:
1. That I get to do work that I love and that matters to me.
2. For my awesome family.
3. That I’m in a place in my life where I feel grounded, connected, at peace and happy.
And with deep gratitude to you: I am truly so grateful to you, dear audience. I feel so lucky to live in a time when I can share my work with the world and try to make a bit of a dent in the universe. Thanks for being a part of that-I appreciate you.
Happy Gratitude Month,
Seth
Want another challenge?
Go ahead and share your voice below. In the comments, share a list of 3 things you’re grateful for right now. Try it, and notice how it affects the rest of your day!
1. I am grateful for you Seth and the powerful difference you are making in the lives of so many families.
2. I am grateful that I am finally making progress in the sleep department. Slowly but surely I am sleeping more and better.
3. I am grateful for friends to share this parenting experience with. I don’t feel alone.
I am grateful for:
– An amazing son who is fun to love and to be with
– A clear-headed day
– A day to chill and hang out at the house which gives me a chance to be connected to family and self
1. I am grateful for my husband and his patience with our daughter.
2. I am grateful for waiting for the right employee after so many interviews.
3. I am grateful for being grateful after the thing I thought I was grateful for is gone.
1. I am grateful I discovered I have a cousin that writes a great blog and helps me learn more about my son!
2. I am grateful to have moved to a beautiful town in utah where my surroundings inspire me daily and from a stress driven LA, CA.
3. I am grateful for my wonderful family.