Gratitude Elevates Everything

Every year, November puts me in gratitude mode. First, it's my son's birthday, Thanksgiving, and then my best friend's birthday -so I love this time of year!

We are often asked what we're grateful for and usually know. But what is gratitude for you? What does it mean? Is it just saying what you're thankful for one day, one dinner, one time? Is it sharing who you're grateful for on social media? Is it something you pray under your breath when the distracted driver misses you by a miracle? Or when your loved one pulls through?

To me, yes, all of the above, yet gratitude is still so much more. Practicing gratitude is a way of living that can elevate everything in your life. To name a few, feeling more gratitude boosts how you feel in general, how you interact with others, how you parent, how you work, and even how you look! It can improve your overall health, well-being, and life satisfaction. I'm learning that noticing and praising others for little and big details helps them feel appreciated, seen, and loved. When I thank God for my gifts and blessings, I seem to notice them even more.

But what about when we lose our gratitude along the way? We were waiting for something, and we didn't get it. We wanted something so bad, and still nothing. So, we are not in the mood to be grateful, not even for what we already have. We tell ourselves we'll be grateful when it happens. -Will we? Because then it will be something else. Gratitude takes intentionality -it’s not our default setting. If we're not thankful for the little, will we when that big thing happens?

I have seen, though, that gratitude is about being more aware of all that we already are and have in our lives instead of only focusing on what's missing. It's unlearning the ability to see what's wrong and learning the art of appreciation for everyone and everything in our lives. And who knows? Maybe being grateful by faith before it actually happens is our ticket. Oprah says: “Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more.” 100% true.

Being grateful has many benefits; these are just a few.

Gratitude appreciates others for who they are, what they do, and how much they mean to us.

Gratitude acknowledges all our gifts and blessings, big and small, and the effort they took.

Gratitude recognizes the abundance around us, even while facing challenges that defy it.

Gratitude uplifts and inspires our spirit, creating a ripple effect in others around us.

Gratitude brings to mind and honors what others invested in us, even if it was long ago.

Gratitude is mindful of lessons learned and extends grace to those who are learning them now.

Gratitude allows more positive views of our circumstances, giving us hope for the future.

Gratitude recognizes that even the things that end bring possibilities for new beginnings.

Gratitude redeems our bad decisions into growth and lets us see how far we've come by now.

Gratitude flourishes when we don't take our blessings and those we love for granted.

Gratitude improves our joy, happiness, health, and wellness, including our self-esteem.

Gratitude reduces stress and worry because gratitude and anxiety are never neighbors.

4 easy ways to make gratitude part of your daily life: -Yes! We all can do this :)

-Express gratitude to others: Take a minute to acknowledge someone else. They'll feel seen and validated. It can be simple. Sometimes, a kind word or a text can make someone’s day!

-Write it down: Journaling what you're grateful for, even the simplest things, makes them real.

-Be grateful for your life: for being alive, for what you can be, do, have, and become.

-Embrace the power of gratitude daily, and watch how it elevates everything in your life.

Let’s not wait until we lose someone or something to realize how blessed we were all along!

I have sacred gratitude to God this Thanksgiving for my life, the time I still have, and all the chances He's given me to love, learn, and serve, as I live out my purpose.

I'm so thankful to my family and friends for their love, support, kindness, and friendship.

Last but never least, I'm incredibly grateful to my husband and sons for our fam, and for every day, every year, we get to do life together. Love you guys always!

-So what did your gratitude list include?

Happy Thanksgiving to You and whom you call Family,

Maria A. Mansfield

Author, PRS-E and Women's Life Coach, CLC