Living a life of gratitude!

"Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings". - William Arthur Ward 

What would life be like for you if you were truly grateful for everything around you? From the big to the small and even the in between.. How different would life be if you were deeply gracious for everything that was apart of your life? I'm convinced a lot of us would experience another side of life. A side of life filled with joy, peace, contentment, and thanksgiving. With the thanksgiving holiday rapidly approaching I wanted to start early by talking about being grateful and giving thanks. It's simple to wait until the one time of year where you gather around a table and say 3 things you're grateful for, but I'm talking everyday getting up with a thankful heart. This week I wanted to give you five big tips on how I live a life of thankfulness.

1. The Five Minute Journal 

I love the idea of opening your eyes after a restful sleep and jotting down what you are thankful for the second you wake up. It's such a great way to start your day, and also see how truly blessed you are. Simply take note of the things that you are thankful for. It could being thankful for your spouse, kids, job, or having a warm bed to sleep in. Jot down everything you're thankful each morning and watch the transformation begin. I love the The Five Minute Journal which gives guided questions on what you're grateful for, how to make your day great, and amazing things that can happen today. Using this guide will help you have structure in your journaling time, and allow you to get your brain moving immediately when you're awake.

2. Prayers of gratitude

Whether you're religious or not so much, prayers of gratitude will help uplift your entire day. There are so many sources on the internet that can help you learn prayers specifically focused on gratitude. Check out this list of prayers to help you learn some well written prayers to either hang up around the house, or memorize yourself.

3. Gratitude Meditations 

Meditating was a foreign thing to me until my daughter explained how much it helped her through anxious and worrying times. I love that there are so many guided meditations that are easy and relaxing to do. Gratitude mediations are perfect to focus your intentions throughout the day. Many guided mediations will teach you breathing techniques and mantras specifically for gratitude. Check out this Guided Mediation for Gratitude I found on youtube. 

4. Volunteering 

The best way I learned to be thankful was by helping others. I spent many years wondering how people were so gosh darn happy all the time, and then I began to pick up some of their tips. The best way to help yourself be thankful is by helping those in need. Whether you offer to feed the homeless, tutor at risk children, or foster a child, you will soon see just how blessed you really are. I especially love seeing parents teach their children this at a young age. Make it a family day by going to assist others that need your help. Find the perfect place for you to volunteer by using this . 

5. Stop avoiding the negative

In a Huffington Post article 7 Habits of Grateful People gratitude researcher and psychology professor at the University of Calif., Dr. Robert Emmons, expressed that people that are thankful don't avoid the negative things that have happened, but instead embrace setbacks as an overall journey. Many people that have had a hard time at life allow it to beat them down to the point of no return. When practicing a life of gratitude try your best to look at your past as being a learning experience that you are thankful for and simply move on. It's easier said than done, but I can guarantee you failures from your past won't help you unless you learn that it's all part of your story.

After using these tips and tricks to living a life of gratitude, I'm sure you will be able to move forward with a thankful heart each and everyday. If you have any tips on how you live a life filled with gratitude comment below and share with all of us. I hope to hear from you soon.

-Patrice