gratitude: the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and return kindness
The “Attitude of Gratitude” theory has had a huge resurgence in the past 10 years. We’ve been encouraged to write gratitude lists, to keep a gratitude diary, to feel grateful, and to act grateful. And for good reason.
Quite simply, by feeling grateful we can instantly change our state, and by changing our state we can attract good things to us. There is science to back this up by the way, but, in a nutshell, “like attracts like.” If we think good thoughts, or more importantly feel good, we will attract good things.
In my opinion, the number one way to change a person’s state is to feel gratitude. Notice I’ve emphasized “to feel.” It’s not enough to think of something you are grateful for; you have to feel the emotion of gratitude. Otherwise it won’t work.
So, how can you instantly feel gratitude? I’ve identified a number of questions to help you.
Set a timer for 2 minutes every morning or evening—or even better: both—and answer the questions that appeal to you the most.
Gratitude Questions:
- Who do I love in my life?
- Why do I love them?
- How do these people make me feel?
- What am I proud of in my life?
- Who has shown me kindness in my life?
- How have they shown me kindness?
- What or who makes me happy in my life?
- What material possessions do I have that I’m grateful for and why?
- What challenges have I endured that I can now be thankful for?
- What I am happy about right now? How does it make me feel?
- Look through the eyes of someone else. What am I grateful for?
- What basic needs of mine are met that millions of people don’t have? For example, fresh clean water, hot shower, toilet, a home, abundance of food, medical care, health, etc.
Evening Gratitude:
Or, at night, answer these questions and write them in a gratitude journal.
- Who touched me today?
- What’s the best thing that happened today?
- What made me smile today?
- What inspired me today?
“Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.”
—Charles Dickens
