With Thanksgiving just around the corner, this is the perfect time to focus on giving thanks in our own lives. Many families go around the Thanksgiving table and share what each person is thankful for, but what happens on all the other days of the year? The more you can regularly appreciate everything there is to be grateful for – not just on Thanksgiving – the better life often seems; giving thanks shifts your focus from what’s wrong to what’s right.
Here are some easy ways to incorporate a more thankful attitude on an ongoing basis:
- Make it a habit. Each day, in some way, think about what you’re thankful for. Some moms have a journal solely for this purpose, in which they list 3 or 4 “thankful for” items every evening before bed. Others simply take a minute or two to construct a mental list. How or if you keep track of this list is less important than just creating it to begin with. If you have a daily time of prayer or meditation, this is an ideal place to include “thankful” time.
- Challenge yourself to reframe whatever is bothering you. This isn’t always easy, but if you can look at the areas of life that cause you the most irritation and find within them a silver lining, this can sometimes neutralize the negative impact. Perhaps your baby won’t sleep more than two hours without waking to be nursed; at least this gives you the opportunity to hold her and bond with her (even if you’re tired). Or your three-year-old refuses to potty train; while you may be tired of diapers, changing time does offer the chance to laugh and interact. You get the idea.
- Bring your family on board. Start a new routine of having each person say what they’re thankful for each night at dinner, or exchange this information with your spouse at some point during the day. When others are involved, it’s easier to keep the practice going.
- Remember the small things. If you have trouble thinking of things to be thankful for, you’re probably not directing enough attention to the little things. Did your child give you an unsolicited hug this morning? Did you hear a song on the radio today that made you want to dance? Are you having a good hair day? All these things make life a little nicer; don’t overlook them.
- Spread the wealth. Send a quick note to a friend to let her know how glad you are to have her. Be sure your children hear you say “thank you” on a regular basis, so they learn to model this behavior. Tell them what you’re thankful for, and encourage them to do the same. Gratitude grows as it’s shared with others.
Taking time to focus on what you appreciate is a simple way to add more joy to your life, and to your children’s. Gratitude is a choice you make and an attitude you can adopt, whatever your circumstances. Let “Thanksgiving” be an ongoing mindset.
Your assignment: Look for ways to focus more on gratitude, to incorporate being grateful into your daily life, and to teach your children the importance of being thankful. Do one thing this week to share your gratitude with those around you. Happy Thanksgiving!
