I want to start a regular gratitude practice. In recent years, mindfulness and gratitude have received a lot of attention in relation to mental health. A simple Google search can give you a list of benefits for each activity, including suggesting for incorporating a gratitude practice into your daily life.
An article published on PositivePsychology.com cites numerous scientific studies claiming various psychological health benefits of gratitude. Included among these benefits are things like increasing long-term happiness by 10%, improving self-esteem and well-being, strengthening relationships, and increasing optimism by 5-15%.
I’m a firm believer that practicing gratitude will lead to contentment. It’s important to distinguish between happiness and contentment, though. Happiness is fleeting; it is a feeling that can come and go like clouds passing overhead. You may feel happy one hour and frustrated the next.
Contentment is a deeper, more grounded feeling. It is long-lasting sense of fulfillment in life. Contentment must be found within, regardless of external events or circumstances. If I can find contentment within myself, the effects of the everyday struggles in life will be diminished. It is like an armor that provides a profound sense of satisfaction and knowing within oneself that everything will be alright.
In the past I have tried a daily gratitude journal, but I couldn’t stick with the regimen of writing something down everyday. Instead, I want to capture my gratitude practice in regular blog entries, which I think will be more authentic and less repetitive than a daily journal.
So let’s begin!
1. Rain
It has been a really dry spring in Michigan. The grass was turning yellow in certain places and the flowers were dropping. We had just planted grass seed a few weeks earlier and were trying to keep it watered with a lawn sprinkler. (I’m thankful to live in an area of the country not faced by water shortages. How lucky to be able to water my lawn!)
Finally it rained this week. I love the sound and smell of rain; it brings me so much joy. We had three full days of much-needed rain, and the grass and plants are looking much healthier.
2. Roses
Early in the spring, I pruned back my roses and cut out much of the dead pieces of the shrub. I was unsure how the shrubs would react to more intense pruning than usual. Much to my delight, I have larger and healthier bushes with many many roses bus and blooms opening up. I am thankful I decided to prune the shrubs, as they will provide beauty and visual interest to by backyard garden all summer long.
3. Grandparents
I often think how blessed I am to have parents and in-laws that actively seek out time with my children. None of them live, particularly close, each with over an hour drive from our home. But they both offer time to either come visit our family or take the kids back to their house for a weekend. Also in times when the kids don’t have school, have a summer have a school break or homesick they offered to come over and help. I know not everyone is as fortunate as us and I am so thankful to have a wonderful, loving and supportive family.
4. Date night
My husband and I don’t often go out on dates. We’re more inclined to stay in and play a board game or watch a show after the kids go to sleep. And given our busy lives, we typically don’t want to stay out very late for a date night. When we do go out, it’s often with friends, rather than alone. So recently when the grandparents offered to take the kids for a weekend, we went out to dinner one night. We were able to use up a gift card for a local Italian restaurant, so it was frugal and fun! I always enjoy eating a delicious meal with my husband, and not having to clean it up at the end 😉
What are you grateful for this week? Comment below!