Gratitude Is Not Just A Feeling, It’s A Practice

People aren’t grateful because they are happy because they are grateful

The filter by which we perceive what happens to us dramatically impacts how we view our lives, our ability to handle challenges, and our overall experience of happiness.

Well, feeling grateful for a wonderful thing to experience, those who truly understand the power of gratitude know that gratitude is not just a feeling; it’s an important practice that can totally guide and transform our lives.

There are three ways I practice gratitude on a daily basis that have a profound impact in my life and the lives of others.

• Say, thank you – we all have busy schedules, so it’s up to us to invest in being present in our daily lives. Think of all the times we are out and about, and how we see many people on our errands, none of them being people we really connected with.

It’s easy in the grocery store checkout line to say a half-hearted thank-you to the cashier. They may be saying the same words to move the line along.

But would, if the next time, we pause, make eye contact, and smile at the person, and say thank you directly to the person who is serving you. Not only will you most likely see them light up as you consciously share your gratitude, but the feeling will let you receive from the practice and energize you as well.

• Be grateful for the good and the bad

Being in a state of gratitude isn’t always easy. But when we consider that everything that happens in our lives is present for our learning, and growth. When we look at things this way, we can begin to see that there is an opportunity to be grateful for everything. When we go through a difficult situation we should ask, “what does this situation want to teach me?”

For example, remember a situation where you experienced pain or struggle; if you look back on it and see how it made you stronger and became a better version of having lived through it.

In 2 Corinthians 12:10, Paul said, “When I am weak, then I am strong.” God often does His best work in the middle of our weaknesses.

• Practice the gratitude sandwich. Gratitude is not just a feeling, it’s a practice. It’s something we can consciously work on every day to maintain our inner sense of well being and intentionally attract positive things into our lives.

The gratitude sandwich works like this:

First thing in the morning, identify at least 5 things you are grateful for. Don’t just think about them; actually feel the feeling of gratitude wash over you. This sets your brain, first thing in the morning, to recognize things to be grateful for throughout the day.

Then in the evening, write at least 5 things you experienced that day for which you are grateful for. It can be something as finding a parking place without having to drive through the parking spot three times.

Gratitude is a daily choice. It’s doesn’t just happen. It’s a decision we make every day.