Five Ways to Renew Your Life with Gratitude

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. It’s my favorite holiday for a number of reasons. It’s a holiday celebrated by all Americans. A day that brings friends and family together. A time to prepare and eat many of my favorite foods. And most importantly, it’s a reminder to appreciate and be grateful for all the abundance we have. No matter what our challenges may be at this moment, whether we’re far from home, have medical issues or are out of work, every one of us has much to be thankful for.

I'm very grateful I moved to France 11 months ago. Even though so many friends and family are far away, I am thankful for having them in my life and for the new friendships I’m cultivating in France. Despite the challenges, I’m grateful for successfully completing the administrative requirements for first-year residents, and receiving a one-year visa extension. I appreciate my home, my garden, my creative spirit, and the sense of belonging I've found in this wonderful country.

I’m sure you’ll be thinking about what you’re grateful for this holiday. But if you need a quick reminder of life’s gifts, just imagine waking up tomorrow without one or more of the things we take for granted each day — the air we breathe, our senses, our family, our friends or the roof over our head.

We can all cultivate an attitude of gratitude, not just on this special occasion, but by giving thanks each and every day. Practicing gratitude and appreciation is a healthy habit and one of the best tools for personal renewal.

Research has proven that expressing gratitude and appreciation can make us feel better both physically and emotionally. I know from my own experience that adding a little Thanksgiving to my day has led to greater peace, joy and happiness. Here’s five ways voicing gratitude can enhance your life.

Expressing gratitude puts you in the moment.

Whenever I find myself worried about the future, stressing out about past events and frustrated about the unknowns I can’t control, I stop and write down ten things I’m grateful for — not in the past or in the future, but what I am thankful for right now. This list varies from day to day. Sometimes it’s as simple as appreciating the beautiful hydrangea outside my window or the setting sun that glistens through the trees. Writing that list is a reminder to stay present and enjoy the richness of the moment.

Being thankful brings a sense of perspective.

There are always things we wish we had, or wish we did better or that we are striving to achieve. I wish I had more time to write. I wish I spoke better French. And I’d like to lose some weight. But the moment we express our gratitude for what we do have, we realize how abundant our life is right now. My life is full of friends, family, travel opportunities, work I love, a home, a garden, a supportive community — and that’s a pretty rich life.

Giving thanks brings greater abundance. 

I believe that whatever you put your attention on will multiply in your life. So why not focus on abundance rather than lack? When I appreciate what is truly important in my life, I realize my life is abundant in all the things that money can’t buy, like inner peace, love, serenity, happiness and more. That is the abundance I am grateful for and wish to attract more of into my life — that along with money, of course.

Voicing gratitude is better than a Valium.

Do you ever have trouble falling asleep because your mind is churning out a replay of the day’s stressful events, all the things that didn’t go right and all the things you should have done differently? This is when I remind myself to give thanks. As I lie in bed, I take a deep breath and mentally go through my list of ten things I’m grateful for at that moment. It helps me clearly see and appreciate my world and to know that everything in this moment is as it should be, and I am safe.

Feeling grateful for all life experiences connects you with Spirit, the Universe, God, our Source or whatever you want to call It. 

Almost everything that happens in your life, no matter how difficult, is an opportunity to learn and grow. The people who aggravate me are there to teach me something about myself. During my most difficult moments — facing lawsuits and serious illness — I felt thankful to the Universe for bringing my greatest fears into reality. Confronting them with compassion taught me that I am stronger than I ever imagined. Be thankful for life’s lessons and for the opportunity to change and grow.

Whether you’ll be working this Thursday, with friends, with family or even enjoying a quiet day alone, take time to give thanks for all the abundance in your life. As always, I am grateful for your readership. And please let me know in the comments what you are grateful for.

Happy Thanksgiving!