At this time of year, giving thanks is a natural topic of conversation. However, for some more than others, this can be a difficult thing to do. It can be hard to feel grateful when life has dealt you a tough hand, or you’re dealing with physical, mental or emotional challenges.
Learning to do this is an essential step towards healing. Having a more positive outlook on life will in turn help to make your life more satisfying. It’s so important to learn how to be grateful.
It’s not always easy to be able to look on the bright side of life. But if you’d like to learn, this guide is for you. Read on to learn some tools on how to be grateful this Thanksgiving, and every day.
Learn to Love the Little Things
One of the best things about learning how to have gratitude is that it will teach you to appreciate the little things in life. The seasons changing, a stranger who smiled at you, being congratulated for a job well done at work. These may not seem like big events, but they are positive ones, and if you let them, they can have the power to brighten your day and experience a more grateful, positive version of yourself.
Count Your Blessings Each Day
It can be so easy to focus on the negative in life. Each day, there are going to be obstacles to deal with, and issues to overcome, but there will rarely be a day that doesn’t have some positive in it too.
Try practicing saying three things you’re grateful for aloud every day. This exercise will make you realize how many things you have to be thankful for in life.
Gain a New Perspective
When life is tough, it can sometimes seem like you’re the most isolated, upset, or unlucky person in the world. But oftentimes this isn’t the case.
This is not to say that your troubles aren’t real or your feelings aren’t valid. In fact, you are not alone.
Despite any hardship you’re facing, you’ll almost certainly have things to be thankful for at the same time. For example, if you’re struggling mentally perhaps you can be grateful for your physical health. If you’re having issues with your family, focus on how much you appreciate your friends.
How to Be Grateful
The act of learning how to have gratitude, even when life is tough, is all about learning to see the silver lining in a given situation. Learning to focus on what you do have, rather than what you do not or learning to focus on what is working well in life, rather than what is not.
These things can be difficult to do, but with a little help and the right tools, this can eventually become second nature. If you’d like to learn how to be grateful and improve your perspective on life, give Isaiah Counseling & Wellness a call today.
