Gratitude

November 2020

Grateful, Thankful, Blessed has become a popular decor “theme” in the past couple years. Do you roll your eyes when you see it or is it more than just words in your life? Why has this become such a big deal? Are there advantages to expressing these things?

Gratitude

Webster defines Gratitude as : the state of being grateful : thankfulness expressed gratitude for their support.

It is easy to give lip service to all the things that we are “grateful” for. We are inundated with what everyone is thankful for on social media in the month of November. Everyone does it… we do it. The real question is how do we FEEL gratitude in our hearts and everyday? Many have started Gratitude Journals. This is where you take time first thing in the morning to write down 3-5 things that you are grateful for that day. There are so many journals that are on Amazon for this specific task. There are gratitude journals for kids, teens, women, & men! 

So what’s the point? I struggle with my mindset. There is enough negative in this world to fuel a locomotive. Am I right? So I need to ensure that my day is productive by clearing the slate first thing in the morning and making sure I remember how good I have it. Whether it is a person in my life, a feeling, an activity, an organization or really anything, I write it down & why. Truthfully, it is hard for it not to become just another task in my day. The WHY is what keeps it a heart action vs a task. 

Did you know that being mindful of what you are grateful/thankful for can help your health? The NPR published an article on this titled Is Gratitude Good for your Health by Gail Saltz, M.D..

 “Studies show practicing gratitude can lead to more intimate and connected relationships, less depression, more motivation and engagement, and better overall mental well-being.”

Thankful

Webster defines the act of Thankfulness as : glad that something has happened or not happened, that something or someone exists, etc. : of, relating to, or expressing thanks. See the full definition for thankful in the English Language Learners Dictionary. Thankful.

The definitions of Thankful & Grateful are so similar so what is the difference? The first question I have is what is the difference between grateful & thankful? I read an article that was published 2018 from MSU that put it like this, “Remember that being grateful is about appreciating what one has, as opposed to what one wants. Being thankful or thanking someone often implies you are acknowledging your thanks for something that someone has given you” 

I am grateful for my husband, my home, my kids, my friends… all of these are things I need in my life. 

I am thankful for the legacy my family has left/taught me of honoring & respecting authority, appreciating those that serve in our communities, appreciating the family I have and how being different makes us a puzzle that fits together well, and my faith. I am thankful for those that have given their time to teach me and guide me in building my business, building a solid marriage, becoming an effective parent, and building my faith. 

Blessed

Webster defines Blessed as 1 : holy sense 1. 2 : enjoying happiness. 

I feel like this comes into play as we recognize what we are grateful & thankful for. It is so easy to get wrapped up in the negative, the hate and the ‘Joneses’ mentality that we forget how much we have that others don’t. 

Do you have food on the table? If not, aren’t you thankful for the organizations that collect food & share it with you? 

Do you have a job? If not, aren’t you thankful for the organizations that teach you how to write an effective resume’?

Do you have a roof over your head? 

Do you have clothes on your body? 

Do you have someone that encourages you? 

Just so you know, I am Grateful, Thankful & Blessed by you!