While spending time at home over the short-but-sweet thanksgiving holiday, I was able to slow down a bit and enjoy some great quality time with my family. Sometimes I forget how refreshing a little time at home can be! It was so nice to be able to take a step back from my daily routine and relatively short-term-way-of-thinking. Meaning, instead of focusing on getting “through the day” or completing any particular task at hand, my mind was able to freely wander.

Among many things, I caught myself thinking about what it really means to be appreciative. And how important it is to be aware of what others do for me – either through their actions, prayers, love, friendship, or what have you. Because the second that we take any of these acts of kindness or love (no matter how big or small) for granted, we are actually doing ourselves a disservice. In other words, it’s our loss.

[To be honest, I’m actually not sure if the fact that it was “Thanksgiving time” had anything to do with these thoughts. Regardless, I’m glad I had them and figured I’d share them with you. So, take it or leave it: a little synopsis of my recent thoughts to follow…]

It’s easy to be negative, lazy, and selfish. And, to be 100% frank with you, it’s sometimes my natural reaction to act this way. Plus, negativity is all around us, is extremely contagious (sadly!), and multiplies even faster once you let it overcome you. You know, like when you spill some coffee on your shirt in the morning and then you get stuck behind a train or something. Thats it! Your whole day is ruined! (ha!) Right? When it rains, it pours.

I know some of you may think I’m stating the obvious here, but it’s VERY easy for me to take things for granted.  I try and make a conscious effort to notice the little things I often overlook or begin to expect. And I could go in several different directions, discussing all life’s blessings that I take for granted, but I better stay on track.  What I want to say is that, for me personally, when I make a deliberate effort to have a grateful and appreciative attitude, I feel so much more alive. I know that sounds cheesy, but whatever, it’s a risk I’m fully willing to take. If you really start to notice the little things people do (or did) for you, you can’t help but feel thankful, blessed, or just plain happy! And for me, this “feeling” fires me up, motivates me, and makes me want to serve, give, and love everyone back!

I like to think of positive thinking, or gratitude in this case, as a personal challenge that I tackle daily. And just like anything else, with repetition and consistent effort, it can become a way of life or a state of being, rather than a mere feeling. And hopefully, our efforts to “practice” gratitude will change the lens through which we see and experience our daily lives by transforming the way we process and respond to the world around us. Life becomes more enjoyable as our gratitude multiplies inside us and and around us, making it easier to be grounded and positive as the circumstances of our lives, or even our days, fluctuate.

And although I hope you’ve enjoyed my humble attempt to explain what I’m trying to say, I did a little google search after writing this post and think Miss. Melody Beattie does an excellent job of summarizing the benefits of gratitude. She says, “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.”

ps: would anyone be willing to help me start a #gratitudehabit campaign? I’m open to ideas – just comment or email me if you’d be willing to help!