by Leigh
In this season of gratitude like many others, I like to make a list of what I'm thankful for. There is the obvious, of course....my family, my kids, my friends, a roof over my head, food on the table..
but I'm trying to stretch beyond the easy...go past the words that immediately pop into my head when I think of gratitude. I want to spend time reflecting on the gifts in my life. What is this moment right now offering me and how can I show my appreciation for it? Living a grateful life stretches far beyond the month of November. It's available every moment of every day in everything that we do.
Living gratefully is something I want to teach my children. I want it to be second nature to them. But how can I do that if I don't practice what I preach? All of the life principles that my daughter learns at school contribute to a grateful life. Respect....responsibility.....kindness....compassion....generosity. When we live life to the fullest and in the moment we are recognizing that life is a gift. According to gratefulness.org "graceful living is supported by daily practices, habit of mind, and behaviors that are learnable and can be translated and applied to many aspects of our lives." It goes on to say that if we engage in a "basic daily gratefulness practice" our lives will be enriched.
Challenge yourself daily to stop whatever you are doing and devote your full attention to being still. Look at what life is offering you right now. Gratefulness.org suggest asking yourself ones of these questions:
- What am I grateful for right now? or What can I be grateful for right now?
- What opportunity is life presenting me, for which I can be grateful?
Not only will an attitude of gratitude change your life for the better, but it will have a ripple effect among those around you. Go ahead....try it. What are you waiting for?