Gratitude. It means being thankful. Acknowledging the little pleasures in life. Counting your blessings. Valuing everything you receive. It’s about trying to live your life like each day is a miracle. Inspired after the incident I wrote about in my post from last week, I started thinking a lot about the importance of gratitude in our lives. Of course, we all “know” it’s important to be grateful, but I’ll willingly admit that I take a lot of things for granted on a day-to-day basis.
The Power of Gratitude
Not that this is astonishing news or anything, but there is a LOT of behavioral and psychological research out there that proves that the practice of gratitude can result in significant life improvements. Studies have shown:
- People who consciously express gratitude on a regular basis are 25% happier than those who don’t.
- It can help lead to better health because it’s packed with benefits, leading to happier moods, better sleep, less stress and the ability to avoid emotions that cultivate bitterness, envy and depression.
- Gratitude encourages a positive cycle of reciprocal kindness among people since one act of gratitude encourages another.
- And the list goes on and on and on… (Check out this article for a few other reasons why gratefulness is good for your well-being).
Tim Ferriss even recommends a form of gratitude training that is based off of the same study. He recommends waking up each morning and immediately asking yourself the question: “What am I truly grateful for in my life?” You only need to take one minute each day to do this in order to feel the effects after just one week. Here’s some of the probing questions he provided if someone gets stumped:
- What relationships do I have that others don’t?
- What do I take for granted?
- What freedoms, unique abilities and options do I have that others don’t?
- What advantages have I been given in life?
- What allies and supporters have helped me to get where I am?
What?! 60 seconds a day?! It’s that easy?! And I can not only be a little happier in my own life, but also have a positive effect on others? Why on Earth would anyone not do this?! In addition, I think it’s also important to recognize the smaller, kind-of-quirky-but-totally-awesome things in our lives. I read posts from the Web site “1,000 Awesome Things” a lot. It’s hilarious, so you should definitely check it out!
Soooo… I’m going to do it – but just a little differently. Each Monday, I’m going to post a #GratList of five things I’m thankful for in my life. I figured it’s a great exercise to ensure I’m doing it every week. But it will also serve as a library of all the wonderful blessings I have, so if I’m ever having a bad day or feeling down and out I’ll have the list to reflect on. And, I’ll be able to let you know if it’s had a positive effect on me (and others) over time. So here’s my very first list!
#GratList – Week 1
1. The amazing relationship I have with my grandmother
Because we connect on a level that no one else understands and her love is unconditional
2. Random mini-conversations with complete strangers that brighten your day
Because these special moments show that even though we’re all so different, essentially we’re still all the same (and reminds me not to judge)
3. Songs that remind you why you’re holding out for that nonsensical, all-consuming, incredible, unquestioning, passionate, I-cant-live-without-you love
Because it does exist
4. Sushi, sushi, sushi
Because it is absolutely delicious
5. HUGS
Because they’re such a simple and meaningful way to show someone you genuinely care about them and are excited to see them
Do you take time to be thankful each day? Have you ever made a list of things you’re grateful for? Are you interested in creating your own weekly #GratList?
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Sara! I think us gemini’s think alike! Your gratlist reminds me of my “Thankful Calendar.” Same premise. Since, it’s very easy for me to fall into my own evil web of comparison, jealousy and depression (not fun times, trust me!), by keeping this little calendar/list hybrid thingy, keeps my head on straight and reminds me that life isn’t so much about the stuff, as it is about the experiences. Nice post lady. Thanks for sharing!
http://andreaveralewis.typepad.com/hello/2010/01/giving-thanks.html
Ha! That is way too funny!! What a great idea, Andrea!
One thing I’ve thought about recently is how BLESSED we are to have clean, running water, and working drains/sewers! People take that WAY for granted.
Think about not being able to flush your toilet, or have safe water to drink. Most of the world doesn’t have these two things. If that’s the only amenity we had, we’d be lucky.
You’re so right. I’ve had friends who’ve visited 3rd world countries and it’s completely changed the way they view their lives. It’s mindblowing, really, to think about how incredibly blessed we are to have even the basic necessities we have. Thanks for the reminder, Cameron.
okay.
Sara I love the concept of the grateful List.
Thanks, Vernon! Let me know if you decide to do it!
My #gratlist for this week…
My roommate’s dog, because he makes me smile everyday
My friends, who teach me something new everyday
My job, which motivates me and makes me feel amazing when I do it well
Love it. Thanks for sharing, Megan.
Sara,
Cool idea. I have a friend who recommends doing this daily. HE says you should be grateful even for the things you don’t already have because then they will appear in your life much faster than you can possibly imagine since our mind has no way of distinguishing between what’s real and what’s imagine.
That’s a great idea – have you tried it?
Great idea!
Last year in August, for Sam’s Appreciation Revolution, I wrote mine on “The Gratitude List” (http://www.lifeschocolates.com/appreciation-revolution/the-gratitude-list-an-exercise-to-exercise-appreciation-in-your-life-grace-boyle/).
My mom is a life coach, speaker and workshop leader and she has always guided me to write gratitude lists. Ive been doing it for years (even though I have probably resisted). Essentially, the bottom line is that we feel better when we remember what we’re grateful for. It’s an important exercise, so I love what you’re doing here
That’s so awesome, Grace! As crazy as it sounds, I actually had never heard of making a gratitude list before. But even in just a week, I’ve found it to be a very rewarding exercise no matter what I’m going through! How cool. Would always love to hear your insight on more of these types of tricks!
Great post Sara – I subscribed to your blog because I keep forgetting to check it. Duh! Here is something fun that a bunch of my friends do – we have a gratitude group and one person is in charge of keeping the email list and starting the gratitude each morning. We’re all to reply to all and list the things we are grateful for that day. It sure keeps you in the moment and always starts my day off right. There is no doubt for me that gratitude is an attitude!
That is FANTASTIC!!! I can’t believe all the stories I’m hearing! What a great idea and I’m sure you feel very blessed to have a great group of friends you can share these things with.
hmmm…gotta say that this message could not have come at a better time…there’s ALOT to be fearful about these days
* recession
* recalls
* distrust with the media
* distrust in Wall Street
* etc.
HOWEVER, you bring up a GREAT point: There EVEN MORE reason to be grateful!
Thanks for Giving Us All This Reminder to Be Happy and Just B-R-E-A-T-H-E.
Narciso Tovar
Big Noise Communications
@Narciso17
Thanks for being here, Narciso! That’s kind of where this post/research/thought came from – hearing all the people complaining about all the things you listed above. Hope it can either remind some people to count their blessings or just put things into a little different perspective.
Love this Sara. I’m grateful for so much. I was talking to a good friend today and I don’t even know where to begin. Even though it’s been such a crazy up and down year, I’ve never been nearly as happy as I am right now, today. I’m grateful for all the people in my life who believe in me, who have unwavering faith in me, even when I don’t.
We all need those people in our life – because we’re inevitably going to have those moments of great self doubt, when we don’t think we can do it, we don’t think we’re worth of the success we see, when something bad happens to us and we don’t know how to pick ourselves back up. It’s those who say “yes you can” when you’re thinking “no I can’t” that I’m extremely grateful for.
Love your idea here – a great way to encourage all of us to reflect a bit each week…
Thanks so much, Matt!
Really like the list of questions above! Thanks for sharing. I post my gratitude list every Tuesday on my blog, and these questions will definitely help me figure out what to post! I’m hoping to work my way up to posting at least one thing I’m thankful for every day. Looking forward to reading your new Monday series.