5 ways to practice gratitude
Ever wondered how to become more grateful? How to live in such a way that you can appreciate the present moment?
Sometimes, when life strikes you at the most unexpected moments, it is easy to lose focus on what’s really important. Today I would like to share my experiences on gratitude. Being grateful has learned me to put things in a different perspective.
There are times in life when you feel comfortable and there are when you feel nothing at all. Sometimes, you might feel physical or mental pain. Life has its own way of pushing and pulling. I honestly believe that by practicing gratitude you’ll become a more positive and happier person.
Below are 5 easy steps you can take to build your own gratitude practice.
- Remember the aching tooth
Let us think about an aching tooth. We don’t want an aching tooth because it hurts. At the very same moment, we wish to get rid of it. Once the aching tooth has been fixed by the dentist, however, we tend to forget about the pain and move on about our daily lives. Stop here for a second if you might. I think it is very nurturing to be grateful for not having the pain anymore. By remembering what parts of your body are relaxed and comfortable -even when you might be in pain somewhere else- you’ll instantly feel better. - Don’t go into battle
Please do not go into battle with your body, don’t create a battlefield of the mind. By staying in discomfort, breathing with your discomfort as if it’s a friend who tries to tell you something, you’ll understand your discomfort even better. You might even notice it isn’t the discomfort itself that makes you feel the way you feel, but how much you (unconsciously) resist the discomfort. There are lessons to be learned you can be grateful for. - We have 24 full new hours to live and that is a blessing
Each day we have 24 new hours to live. How better to begin your day than to spend it in gratitude for the fact you have woken up. Maybe can make someone happy today? Just by sending a smile can make someone feel better. - Name the top three things of the day
Before going to sleep, when in bed, I find it a very satisfying practice to think about at least three things that I’m grateful for. You can even keep a gratitude journal, so you can reflect and look back on the many happy moments in your life. - Practice kindness
There was once a Buddhist monk that wrote that “Everyone wants to save the world, but no one wants to help mom do the dishes.” He said that statistically, it’s highly unlikely to run into a burning orphanage and rescue an infant. But in the smallest gesture of kindness -may it be a smile or holding the door for someone- you have committed an act of immeasurable profundity, because to each of us, our life is our universe. You’ll feel more at peace and grateful for yourself by being kind.
Gratitude is always there
Remember, when things are not going well for the day, there are always things to be grateful for. We have 24 brand new hours each day. Focus on your breath, your body. Try to make peace with your discomfort. Maybe think about how comfortable your body feels, how much of it is not in pain. To be not in pain and be healthy is a wonderful thing!
With each breath a smile,
Jesse
