Throughout the month of November people will post what they are thankful for each day or around the table with family and friends we may speak about the things we are grateful for from the past year. What if we did that on a daily basis? The benefits of being grateful every day can actually boost your health. It has been linked to lowering stress levels, improving immune functions, help you sleep better, increase your energy levels and just plain make you a happier and nicer person.
I’ve always taught my kids to be happy for the rainy days. If we don’t have the rainy days, we wouldn’t appreciate the sunny ones. To help instill the attitude of gratitude with them, each night at bedtime we ask them what they are thankful for. Yes, some answers are for material things, Kindle, iPad but some of their answers are so beautiful and touching. Once my son said he was thankful for me because I take care of the family. My daughter always thinks of the simple things that we so often take for granted – eyes, legs, hands, breath etc.
A way to help me remember that the rainy days are a blessing is I keep a gratitude journal. All you have to do is write down 5 things you are thankful for each day. It doesn’t take long, plus reading back through them when you are having a not-so-grateful day, it will certainly put you in a better mood.
So remember even when it is raining, the kids are screaming in the back of the car and you get pulled over for speeding (not speaking from experience of course….*cough, *cough) be grateful for the rain to help things grow, the healthy kids that have voices to use, a car to get you places and for the speeding ticket? Inadvertently supporting the local community by offsetting public safety costs?
Remember, try to stretch out the Attitude of Gratitude throughout the year. The return on your efforts will be amazing! Happy THANKSgiving!
Charity
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