Simple Ways To Practice Gratitude
Let's revisit the concept of gratitude. I honestly think it is such an important one when it comes to contentment. When you are grateful for the small things in your life, it's nearly impossible to complain. In today's post, I would like to share with you some simple ways to practice gratitude every day. Once you begin to make thankfulness a habit, you will find that your attitude will improve greatly.
1. Gratitude Journal
Creating a daily gratitude journal is one of the best ways to acknowledge what you are grateful for in life. This activity is best performed at night so that you can look back upon your day and determine which events touched your heart and made you feel thankful. Your journal can be in paper form such as a beautiful bound book or even a simple notebook. If you're more of a digital type person, it’s fine to keep your records in an electronic platform like a word processing program or online application. The important thing is that you record three to five things each evening that you are grateful for that day. Even the smallest, simplest thing can be a powerful reminder of your good fortune.
2. Meditation
You have probably heard lots of great things about meditation, but you might still be unsure how it really works. The concept can seem overwhelming and confusing, but it does not have to be. Meditation is merely taking some time to consciously clear your mind of all the needless thoughts you have going on throughout the day. You can simply sit quietly, or you may choose to follow a guided meditation. Whatever form you engage in; the point is to focus your mind on the current moment. By practicing this regularly, you will begin to train the connections within your brain to work effortlessly in a way that is conducive to cultivating positive results such as enhanced gratitude, improved attention span and calmer mood. Mindfulness is a powerful tool.
3. Morning Routine
Another meaningful way to bring gratitude to the forefront of your mind is to create a morning routine in which you reflect upon things that you are thankful for in your life. Three or four items are plenty, and you do not have to partake in a formal writing habit as with a gratitude journal. Merely thinking about what brings you joy and for what you are grateful will set the tone for the day. You can do this while sipping your coffee each day or even during your morning stroll. Again, this habit will help to form the neural connections that keep the positivity flowing.
These are three easy ways to practice gratitude in your life. Give them a try and see if you do not find yourself feeling more positive and thankful before too long.

Chef William – Thank you! I think you have some wonderful gratitude habits! I agree that it is a challenge to add it into art. One thing I do is keep present on an intent as I paint or create. One example was a large painting that I prayed continuously over for the Holy Spirit to grace the receiver. It turned out to be a very special painting and sold instantly. I have to believe the purchaser was known all along and that my prayers were for them. So I do believe it is very possible to gift our art with our intent, we may not see it visibly but it is there.
Cindy, I love the focus of your articles. I have long recommended gratitude as a path to joy. So hearing about the neural network changes from either complaining or being grateful— simply powerful. Thanks!
It is a nice review. I like to make a Gratitude tree on a page in my regular journal every few weeks. Meditation is a morning practice with me, I would love to add one at night but for some reason, I fall asleep the minute i put my head on the pillow. I also have a morning practice of walking at dawn at which time I do review what I am grateful for. I would like to add it into my art but have not developed an idea as to how to do it yet.
Martha – So glad you love it!
Florence Callender – I think your tweek for #2 is awesome! I like my morning pages also. It make the day start so well and I spend quite a bit of my 3 pages in gratitude to God.