5 Easy Rituals to Practice Gratitude in Action

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.”
William Arthur Ward

This has long been one of my favorite quotes. So often, we feel grateful to someone, but we don’t take time to tell them. But I have learned that taking that extra few minutes is SO worth it. Studies have shown that practicing gratitude regularly increases happiness, improves overall health and builds resilience. Every minute we have on this Earth is precious and cultivating a regular practice of gratitude is good for the mind, body and spirit.

Here are some ideas for you to consider incorporating into your family and/or business practices. November is a great time to start because there is an attitude of gratitude that is pervasive in our communities, but of course these rituals are appropriate at any time of year.

1. Start a gratitude bowl. At work or at home (or both!), start a practice of recording things you are grateful for on slips of paper and then putting it in a special bowl dedicated to this purpose. Then once a week or once a month, have a team or family meeting to sit down and one by one, review the gratitude expressions and savor them again. It’s a conscious way to connect with your colleagues and loved ones and it’s a terrific exercise to foster good will in the work place and to teach children the value of sharing our gratitude with one another on a daily basis. If you simply Google “gratitude bowls”, you’ll find several to choose from that could enhance your dining room table or your desk at the office. If you want to get crafty, you could make a “gratitude box” using collaging materials. That’s an extra fun project with kiddos in the house.
2. Give someone a public shout out on social media. Post a photo on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Twitter and tell a story about what they did that made your day. Be sure to tag them and any of their colleagues or loved ones so they are sure to see it! For professional gratitude, give a recommendation on LinkedIn, Amazon or Yelp (depending on their business)…. Those online reviews go a long way in supporting small business!
3. Express your gratitude the old-fashioned way – write a note! People like to be appreciated for a job well done, a goal achieved, a risk taken or simply for being a wonderful human being. This is especially helpful for someone who is either not on social media very much or is just more reserved and doesn’t want or need public acknowledgment.One thing I’m doing this month? Using the colorful artist Lori Portka’s A Month of Thank Yous which is a 30-day postcard pack and I’m sending out handwritten notes to friends and colleagues. They’re so fun to write and I love spending a few minutes every day thinking about someone that is important in my life.
4. Keep a gratitude journal. Popularized by Oprah years ago, it’s a practice you’ve probably heard of. But have you ever actually kept one? It’s an excellent discipline to help you shift your focus from what’s missing in your life to instead shine the spotlight on the abundance you already have in your life! It’s especially helpful when you’re going through a challenging time in life. Once I started keeping a gratitude journal, it helped me to be more open and receptive to the abundance of good flowing my way. Simply dedicate a journal to your gratitude practice and write down 3-5 things each day that you’re grateful for.
5. Say a gratitude grace. Every time you have a meal, whether by yourself or with others, take a minute to express your gratitude for the food you’re about to eat, for your life and for any people or experiences that have brought you joy that day. Speak it out loud or say it silently to yourself. It’s a great way to take a deep breath and pause which supports mindful eating.

Giving voice to your blessings sends a message to the universe that you are grateful to receive which tends to prime the pump for more abundance and goodness to flow your way! If you already have a gratitude ritual that you do, I’d love to hear about it. Or if you decide to try one of these, let me know how it goes. Just leave a comment. I love hearing from my readers.

As always, I’m GRATEFUL you are here in my community,

Elizabeth