Developing an Attitude for Gratitude

It is the middle of the month of March, in the year 2020, and most of the world is starting to go into lock down as we collectively try to stop the spread of COVID-19, better known as the corona virus. Schools have closed their doors, businesses have temporarily shut down, access to beaches and parks has been curtailed, and people have been asked to practice social distancing. Where will it end? Only time will tell.

As I contemplate what might happen in the next few months, I can’t help but marvel at the way we human beings think. We’ve barely been in lock down for 2 weeks, and yet many of us have started to miss the simplest things that we once took for granted. It took a pandemic for us to realize the bliss we were once in by just being able to go out to parks, spending time with a group of friends, or watching a Manchester United football game on TV.

After this difficult time is over, and it will be over, I wonder if we will go back to our old ways of taking everything for granted, or will we instead develop an attitude for gratitude. Here are a few tips for developing, and maintaining, an attitude for gratitude:

Keep a gratitude journal. Just try it for a month and see how it goes. It will only take 5 minutes each day, but the effects will last much longer. Be very specific about what you are thankful for. As you start doing this more and more, pay attention to how your thoughts develop over time. You’d be surprised at how positivity breeds positivity.

Meditate. Whether you are religious or not, taking a 5 minute break from your everyday chores to focus on being thankful can have a huge effect on your overall mood. Try focusing on being thankful for the things that have happened that day and for the people in your life. Again, be as specific as possible and notice how your thoughts develop as time goes on.

Share. Writing down your thoughts and meditating is a great way to begin but try to get into the habit of discussing what you are thankful for with your family and loved ones. Imagine if you were able to get into the habit of sitting down with your family before going to sleep and everyone taking a turn to talk about what they are thankful for. What a great way to end the day.

Joyce Myer said: “There’s no happier person than a truly thankful, content person”. I strongly believe this is the case. Develop an attitude for gratitude. It can make a big difference in your life.