One of the reasons Thanksgiving is such a fun holiday is the fact that most people are in good spirits and ready to give thanks for all that they have been blessed with in life. However, immediately after Thanksgiving follows Black Friday—a time when people can act rudely and even have been known to literally fist fight each other over materialistic items. It seems that as a culture, we go back to being greedy immediately after sharing what we’re thankful for and swallowing that last bite of pumpkin pie.
This year, we challenge you to keep your Thanksgiving gratitude alive all year long. Take a look at the following six ways to show thanks on a daily basis.
How to Keep Thanksgiving Gratitude All Year
- Keep a running gratitude list. While sipping your morning coffee, jot down three things you’re thankful for in a journal. There’s no better way to start your day than with a grateful heart (and a good cup of coffee). You could even type it into the “Notes” app on your phone so that you always have access to it not matter where you are.
- Put things into perspective. Stuck in traffic? At least you have a car to get you where you’re going. Kids fighting? Feel lucky you have healthy kids who are able to express themselves. Husband home late from work? Be thankful he has a job to go to. Messy house? Appreciate that it’s filled with the people you love.
- Pay it forward. Do something kind for someone every day. It can be something as simple as holding the door open for a stranger or slowing down so a fellow driver can merge into your lane. You could also pay for the person behind you at the drive-thru, offer to babysit for a busy mom, volunteer at an animal shelter, visit the elderly in a nursing home, donate items to a homeless shelter, or donate money to a cause you believe in.
- Share three positive things with your family at dinner. At the dinner table, have each member of your family share three positive things from their day. Some families share the highs and lows, but we like to share only the highs to keep our hearts full.
- Prioritize your health. It’s hard to have a positive mindset when you’re physically exhausted and mentally stressed out. Start prioritizing your health by eating a healthier diet, incorporating physical activity into your day, scheduling annual check-ups, and taking care of your mental health, too. You can do that by practicing yoga, devotions, meditation, or simply calling a friend.
- Express appreciation to others. When was the last time you thanked your boss for helping you with a project? Cheerfully thanked the cashier for bagging your groceries? Thanked your husband for doing the dishes? This year, go out of your way to thank others for their work.
If you look around, you will notice that you are surrounded by blessings and things to be thankful for. Instead of focusing on the things that are going wrong (as there always seems to be), change your attitude and focus on everything that is going right. By doing this, you can foster an attitude of Thanksgiving gratitude all year long.
What are five things you are thankful for today?