What is the key to happiness? This life long question has been debated for thousands of years. Want to know the answer? You ready? Here it is:
Happiness is not found in the desire for something you don’t have, but rather found in the desire for what you do.
Practice Gratitude:
Too often we get caught up in what we lack rather than appreciating what we have been blessed with, as a result we too often find ourselves feeling down and our spirits void. I truly believe that it is in our nature to live a life full of happiness and joy, yet our socially conditioned minds tend to believe otherwise.
Our society breeds the false belief that being happy is directly correlated to the size of one’s wallet rather than the quality of one’s prized possessions. Some of the happiest people in the world have the least.
How can this be you ask?
Those who have the least have eyes especially receptive to blessings big or small. Many centenarians attribute their long life to the art of gratitude.
Practicing gratitude is the simplest and most efficient way to find inner happiness. It can easily be incorporated into the busy schedules of daily life and the best part is, it doesn’t cost a thing! Many successful millionaires swear their success to practicing the art of gratitude daily.
What are the benefits of showing gratitude daily?
A deep profound sense of contentment, higher self esteem, internal bliss, and many more. Most importantly practicing gratitude keeps your thoughts positive, and when your thoughts are positive they can’t be negative!
Negative thinking is one of the biggest demons in today’s world, and showing gratitude daily is an easy way to suppress those demons. Showing gratitude produces the effects of what a “magic wand“ would if one were to exist.
The following are some simple ways in which you can express gratitude daily, all the while improving your quality of life dramatically. Don’t feel as if you have to incorporate every single one these daily rituals, as just one or two of these rituals will increase the quality of your life tremendously.
1. Say thank you:
The first and easiest way to show gratitude is by simply saying the two words “thank you“. Next time some one holds the door for you, say thank you. Next time your wife makes that cherry pie you love so dearly, say thank you. Next time you get complimented on how good you look, say thank you. You can never say thank you enough.
When was the last time you said thank you?
Saying thank you shows that you fully appreciate what the universe has given you. Not only does saying thank you improve your life, it encourages people to continue to do nice deeds as hearing those words “thank you“ makes any one feel better about themselves.
Saying thank you is easy and rewarding; try to make a habit of saying thank you at least ten times a day, you won’t be disappointed!
2. 100 Blessings:
Take out a piece of paper, and title it 100 Things I’m Grateful For. Give yourself 15-20 minutes to write as much as possible. There is no wrong answer. This technique is fantastic for showing gratitude because after a while, you really have to apply yourself and soul search for what your truly grateful for.
Try to do this once a week to remind yourself the blessings in which you have. If you’re feeling brave try to do 150 or 200 things your grateful for!
3. Say I love you:
Just as saying “thank you“ is so satisfying, saying I love you is too! There is something about the words “I love you“ that make all that hear them get butterflies. Saying I love you is one way to show that you’re glad you have the person in your life. Just as you can’t say thank you enough, you can never say “I love you enough“ Tell every one you care about you love them daily, for you never know what tomorrow might bring.
Although bringing yourself to tell your boss you love them might be rather challenging, it might pay off in the end.
4. Pray:
Many Christians pray every day and have noticed great increases in their overall well being. There is no right or wrong way to pray. Give the lord your thanks.
5. Gratitude Rock:
As silly as this sounds, I picked this idea up from the movie the The Secret. Most of the movie was a bit too new age for me but the gratitude rock was a concept that stuck. Find a small rock of your choice. You carry the rock, in your pocket, wherever you go. Throughout the day every time you remember the rock, say something you are thankful for.
The rock reminds you to be grateful throughout the day. I personally carry a gratitude rock to this day.
6. Keep a journal:
Keeping a journal is a must. Recap your day on a positive note. Make notice of the highlights of your day. Then on a day in which you aren’t in the best of mood’s recall to your memory the times in which you were on top of the world.
7. Meditate:
I cannot say enough positive things about meditation. Meditation has literally turned my life around. By focusing on my inner self I have become more aware of my needs and in turn have been able to express myself in a more efficient manner. Had a rough day? Nothing a good meditation won’t fix.
8. Hug:
Probably my favorite on the list. There is very little you can do that leaves you more satisfied than giving a hug. Fully embrace, your friends, your loved one, or family member. I personally try to hug as often I can throughout the day. Remember those who look down need your hug the most.
9. Smile:
Smiling is your body’s way of saying thank you, need I say more?
10. Breathe:
By taking a moment out of your busy life, just to breath can be a very rewarding experience. Close your eyes, inhale deeply, and exhale deeply. Focus on your breath and breath only, for when you focus on your breath your fully embracing the now.
Practicing gratitude is one of the greatest ways to improve the quality of your life. I challenge you my friend to show your gratitude today.
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Thank You.
You are wise beyond your years. Thank you for using your time to foster gratitude in the world, we need more of it and more teenagers like you. I am honored to be your twitter friend. =D
This is an amazing article on Gratitude and it’s power to enliven and enlighten us. I always thought I was pretty good on this front, but raising my son (he’s now 10) teaches me gratitude on a daily basis, and my friends are beyond amazing. I still need to say Thank You more often, that’s my goal for 2009.
Glad it helped you. I’m glad your son teaches you gratitude. It is the KEY to true happiness. Appreciating what you have
Gratitude is a wonderful practice! If anyone wants more help finding easy and fun ways to integrate gratitude into your life, check out Gratitude Games: http://www.gratitudegames.com.
peace, and gratitude!
-LaSara
http://www.lasarafirefox.com
Great post Bud. Thanks for sharing.
thank you my friend, it awakens me to be grateful in everything ,small or big, much or less. Indeed its awesome practice in life! More power to your blog! God bless you!
Nilo