
With the New Year in full swing and resolutions abound, there’s no better time to think about being grateful. and grateful not only for the past year – but the year to come ! You may have been doing this for Thank you-giving and, too, had been grateful for the joyous times spent with friends and family.
But what about what we are grateful for? Since the two words of appreciation sound so similar and are often used interchangeably, have we accepted them as the same?
Although grateful and grateful are synonymous with each other, they have some minor, though significant, differences. We’ll explain what makes each of these feelings unique and why focusing on both gratitude and gratitude can improve your life and well-being. We’ll also provide you with ideas on how you can practice both, even if it’s just for yourself!
What is the difference between Gratitude and Gratitude?
If we pause briefly to reflect on Thanksgiving—since the months between it and New Years pass by in the blink of an eye—Turkey Day often shifts our focus back to our life with gratitude. After all, the timeless question, ‘Why are you grateful?’ is about as common during the Festival of Plenty as pumpkin pie. But as with other expressions of appreciation like gratitude that are also commonplace, it is difficult to understand what these two concepts of feeling actually are. medium.
By definition, gratitude is a feeling of pleasure and relief. Gratitude shows appreciation for something done or received. Being grateful is more about expressing a feeling like saying “thank you” when someone opens a door. When you practice gratitude, you show an action for something or someone you appreciate, such as expressing your gratitude with a personalized thank you note.
While both concepts of appreciation are (or should be) key habits, showing gratitude challenges you to find reasons to be grateful for small, seemingly insignificant moments that may happen more often than you think. think. So if you want to be grateful, you need something outside of yourself, and you can’t generate that feeling on your own.
If we take a closer look at the meaning of gratitude, it actually comes from the Latin word gratus, which means grace and, more freely, grateful. Grateful people appreciate others and notice the positive things in their lives. This is where a daily, intentional practice of gratitude can lead to true grace with yourself and with others.
Tips for Practicing Gratitude
Let’s face it; it’s easier to be grateful. We already have typical automatic responses to things – thank you, please, you’re welcome – when someone does something for us. But if you’re a beginner or just have trouble practicing gratitude, there’s something you can do about it!
Be aware of your perception. For example, the more negative perceptions you have, the less likely you are to stop and practice gratitude. Since you have the power to use your perception to generate a negative reality, by default you also have the power to generate a positive one.
Always use positive affirmations about yourself. Visualize the good things daily and try to maintain the mindset you need to achieve that goal – and keep it!
Be grateful for everything you have and your “attitude” of gratitude will grow by leaps and bounds. Take a deep breath when the negativity begins to seep in. Take small steps to practice gratitude and keep going. Finally, let go of the past so you can focus on the present to help you move forward into a better future.
Tips for Practicing Gratitude
It is easier to be grateful, defined as being “aware of the benefits received” and also “well pleased”. It’s a less complex concept than showing gratitude, because being grateful is a conscious act you engage in after receiving some sort of benefit.
More importantly, gratitude is the often fleeting response you have after someone says or does something specific for you, does a kind gesture, or gives you a specific gift. In fact, some of our common responses to acts of kindness towards us often generate an automatic response like “Thank you”, “You’re welcome”.
Most of the time we don’t really elaborate on these fleeting responses, but we are polite and grateful for it. Of course, most of these things won’t really benefit you in the long run, like when someone opens a door for you. However, being grateful and practicing mindfully will bring you a more prosperous day and year.
How to Practice Gratitude with 10 Easy Practices
Building your capacity for gratitude is not difficult. It just takes practice. The more you can be aware of your perception and bring your attention to what you feel grateful for (even if it’s just for yourself!), the more you’ll notice what you’re grateful for.
Brainstorming on how to practice gratitude? Discover these simple ways – feel-good atmosphere guaranteed!
#1: Recognize each day as a gift
Every day you wake up is a gift and the only appropriate response to that gift is to practice gratitude. It’s also an opportunity to do something nice for someone, improve yourself, or have a positive impact.
#2: Gratitude Journal
Practice gratitude by writing down even the smallest things that make you happy every day. It can help you better recognize and connect with these feelings. Gratitude should not be reserved for the big things.
#3: Gratitude Jar
Write down three things throughout your day that you are grateful for on paper and fill a jar. You will find that you have a jar full of reasons to be grateful or a quick pick-me-up if you are feeling down.
#4: Gratitude Walk
Walking is not only great exercise, but it can also help relax your mind. Take the time to appreciate nature and all the little things you usually miss when you’re indoors. Leave your phone in your pocket.
#4: Letter or email of gratitude
Write a handwritten letter (preferred) or email to someone you are especially grateful to have in your life. Express how they have personally had a positive impact on your life.
#5: Gratitude Gathering
Think of someone who recently did something good for you. Plan a simple get-together to express your gratitude. If you live too far apart, you can arrange a video call or chat instead.
#6: See the beauty of others
Start a conversation with a stranger. There’s nothing better than putting a smile on someone’s face. The smallest things make all the difference in making another person feel even more valuable.
#7: Gratitude Meditation
It’s modeled after regular meditation, but instead of trying to clear your mind, you try to focus on everything in your life that makes you grateful – from family and health to farmers for your food.
#8: Use words of gratitude more often
Taking the time to say “thank you”, “please”, and “you’re welcome” and mean it sincerely is a simple way to practice mindfulness and gratitude simultaneously.
#9: Compliment others – and yourself
Giving a kind and sincere compliment can go a long way in brightening someone’s day. Don’t forget to compliment yourself!
#10: Start and end your day with gratitude
Be sure to practice gratitude at the beginning and end of each day and throughout the year. This can take the form of a quick thank you, a text of appreciation to someone, or a reminder of what went well in your day.
How to Practice Gratitude with 10 Easy Practices
As with everything, practice makes perfect. Being grateful is quite easy as it is more of an emotion and a feeling. The more you can be aware of and express appreciation for the kind things done or said for you, the more you can focus your attention on practicing gratitude (even if it’s just for yourself!) and reciprocating the others.
Brainstorming on how to practice being grateful? Check out these simple ways – guaranteed feel-good and happy vibes!
#1: Make a thankful tree
There is no age limit for this activity, but it is especially useful for children to express their gratitude. Grab some colored paper, string or ribbon, scissors, twigs or tree branches, stones or marbles, a vase, and a sense of gratitude. Make leaf cutouts with things you are all grateful for, tie them up with twine, hang the leaves from the branches and here is your grateful tree!
#2. To write Why are you grateful
Return a favor or act gratefully. If someone does something nice for you, write a heartfelt thank you note. In our fast-paced electronic age, handwritten messages can go a long way.
#3. To do an act of gratitude
Be aware of any situation where you can “pay it forward”. Keep the door open for the person behind you, even if it means waiting a little longer than you normally would.
#4. Say Why are you grateful
Show your appreciation to someone who has done something good. Say things like “Thank you for listening when…”, “I really appreciated it when you taught me…” or “Thank you for being there when…”.
#5. Say why you are grateful
Leave the people in your life how you feel and what they mean to you. You don’t have to be soft – we all have our own style. But if you say how you feel in the right tone at the right time, even a simple “Mom, have dinner. Thank you!” means a lot.
#6: Use thank you notes more often
Take the time to say “thank you”, “please” and “you are welcome” and truly meaning it’s a simple way to practice mindfulness and recognition simultaneously.
#7. Think about the things you are grateful for
Each day, think of three (or more) things you are grateful for. Make a daily habit until the end of the year of visualizing or writing down what is good in your life. Come back and read them at the end of the week.
#8. thank someone new
There are many people around us, and maybe we are all connected in some way. How often do we take the time to express our gratitude to a stranger? Make it a goal to choose a new person each week and compliment them.
#9. Focus more on the intentions of others
When you receive a gift or a nice gesture from someone, think about how they intend to bring good into your life and show them an act of gratitude in return.
#10: Recognize each day as a gift
We are not assured of a tomorrow. Every day you wake up is a gift and the only appropriate response to that gift is to be grateful and practice being grateful for it. It’s also an opportunity to do something nice for someone, improve yourself, or have a positive impact.
Practicing gratitude and acknowledgment works best when you do it consistently. Although it may seem difficult to integrate this practice into your daily life, we hope we have put you on the right path to start small and progress gradually. Experiment to find something that works for you and continue throughout the year.
Remember: exchange kind gestures and pass on good deeds – and you’ll be grateful for a “T”!