I look at people who always appear to be satisfied, thankful for what they have. Their focus appears to be on what they have, not fretting over what they don’t.
How do they do that? How do they stay in that frame of mind? I realize now, it is a choice.
An ‘Attitude of Gratitude’ is a Choice.
We may not realize that gratitude is a choice and that it doesn’t come easily to many of us. Most of us were taught as children to say “thank you” when someone gave us a present or did something nice for us. But after a while, “thank you” can become quite glib unless we learn ways to develop and maintain the attitude of gratitude. Practicing gratitude is also a skill that is never too late to develop.
Gratitude keeps us focused on what we have rather than all the things we don’t have, which keeps us in a victim mentality.
How then, do I choose this attitude and develop it in my own life?.
Here are some things to keep in mind to develop an attitude of gratitude.
Express Gratitude
When you are grateful for the things that you have and express gratitude, it opens the door to feeling optimistic. Optimism is a skill that can be created and one of the ways to develop it is to think, feel, and express gratitude both for the small and the big things that take place in your life. Gratitude can be shown by:
- saying ‘thank you’
- choosing to focus on what you have, not what you don’t
- speak positively
- share you ‘attitude of gratitude’ when you speak with others
Reflect the Attitude of Gratitude
Your attitude is visible to others. It is a choice to acknowledge and give thanks for what you have or experience.
When you have an attitude of gratitude, you reflect this through your comments, your social media posts, even your facial expressions. You live with less stress and chaos when you focus is on being thankful.
A Grateful Heart
A grateful heart begins by reflecting and contemplating on all the wonderful things around you. It has to do with a state of being and is maintained by self-reflection. It comes by considering how life has supported you. Something as simple as listening to the birds sing or enjoying the taste of a homegrown tomato can be cause for celebration when you focus on having a grateful heart.
Gratitude Quotes
A simple way to remember to express gratitude is by reflecting on gratitude quotes. These powerful sayings by people from all walks of life help us make a subtle shift in the way we perceive life and enable us to concentrate on the positive things, rather than the negative.
Quote Scripture
A simple way to remember to be mindful of being content and grateful is to keep scripture on your heart. Start here:
..for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances – Philipppians 4:11
give thanks in all circumstances – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
An ‘Attitude of Gratitude’ is a personal choice.
Change your PERSPECTIVE to explore POSSIBILITIES opening new PATHWAYS onto which you can choose to PROCEED.
TerryAnn Porter, lifecoachTA