With so much bad news and grim forecasts about the future, it’s easy to feel helpless and hopeless. If you look at the big picture–a global pandemic, civil unrest, travel bans, unseasonably early tropical storms–everything feels overwhelming and FAR too much to absorb. With so much mind-clouding news, it’s difficult to see the sunshine. It’s hard to feel grateful.

BUT, I guarantee that if you reflect and take the time to look at your more immediate surroundings, you’ll find reasons for gratitude. Take a moment to pause and refocus on the “little things.”

Savor Small Delights

Maybe it’s your morning cup of coffee or that new book you cracked open last week or a particularly delicious meal–whatever brings you a moment of joy is something you should not take for granted. These are the small delights that carry us through each day. Take the time to appreciate them.

Pause to enjoy the greenery of your (or your neighbor’s) garden. Set aside time to listen to your favorite music or indulge in one of your hobbies. When the weather is nice, make an effort to go outside and appreciate it. Focusing on the small things that lift your spirits will help you through the day-to-day. All you have to do is start looking for these little reasons to live in joy and gratitude.

Change Your Thinking

Instead of dwelling on the negative, make a concerted effort to focus on the positive. Do not, for instance, think about the drudgery of mowing your lawn. Instead, think about the scent of freshly cut grass that you’ll enjoy afterward. Or, instead of becoming enraged when a car cuts you off on the freeway, think about how you’re grateful the car didn’t hit you and no one was hurt.

Author Kevin Clayson calls this “FLIP the gratitude switch.” Challenge yourself to find the good embedded within the bad. Make a game of it, even. Before you know it, flipping on your gratitude will become second nature.

Find Comfort in Family

One of your reasons for daily gratitude is probably looking you square in the face–your family. With many people working from home, we may be experiencing family overload! Instead of feeling frustrated or fed up with your family, practice taking a step back, letting little annoyances slide, and focusing on what you love about your children or significant other. Then, TELL them. Share your gratitude and it will eventually boomerang back to you.

If you have extended family members with whom you’ve fallen out of touch, you may want to reach out to them and reconnect (especially if they’re older and somewhat isolated). There’s something about family that is comforting and fortifying–strong enough to carry us through the toughest of times.

Think of Free Time As a Gift

With so many canceled plans and (potentially) reduced work hours, you likely have more free time than you had before. Sure, if you’re a parent, you might have to use part of that time to care for or home school your child, but you probably have fewer soccer games, choir practices, swimming lessons, etc. Instead of mourning the loss of sports games, concerts, or large get-togethers, celebrate your free time! You could pick up a new hobby…or you could simply make an effort to sit outside in the sunshine with a cup of tea and a good book.

 

No matter how bad things may seem on a national or global scale, I’m certain you can find pleasant moments and joy close to home. If you’d like to make a concerted effort to amplify your gratitude, you might start a gratitude journal (writing down three things that you’re grateful for each morning or each night before you go to sleep) or you might simply voice your gratitude more often. Whatever your approach, I hope you find the gratitude in your life. I’m grateful for you taking the time to read my message!

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