Every November, we see articles, photos and reminders about gratitude and Thanksgiving. The reality is that we can always find something to be grateful for. And no matter how bad you think things are, someone will always go through something worse. At the end of the day, we all have a choice regarding what we lean into. We can lean into the horrors and darkness of the nightly news and spend our days blaming, whining and complaining, or we can choose to lean into the miracles, the positive, the light, and the joy that surrounds us every day, year-round.
Scriptures and Quotes About Gratitude
Scriptures and Quotes About GratitudeA quick Internet search will provide quotes, religious practices, science, and benefits to giving thanks, along with a list of leaders and successful people from all walks of life who have a habit and an attitude of gratitude. Here are just a few of the powerful scriptures and quotes I found about gratitude:
- “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
- “You have no cause for anything but gratitude and joy.” ~The Buddha
- From the Hebrew Scriptures: “O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever,” and “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart” (Ps. 30:12; Ps. 9:1).
- “Gratitude is an attitude that hooks us up to our source of supply. And the more grateful you are, the closer you become to your maker, to the architect of the universe, to the spiritual core of your being.” – Bob Proctor (Law Of Attraction)
- “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” ~Albert Einstein
- “When eating bamboo sprouts, remember the man who planted them.” ~Chinese Proverb
- Of all the “attitudes” we can acquire, surely the attitude of gratitude is the most important and by far the most life-changing. “Zig Ziglar
Benefits of Gratitude
How about the list of benefits of a grateful heart:
- Stress Buster
- Immune Booster
- More relaxed
- Healthier Marriage
- More friendships
- Improved sleep
- Increased energy
- Increased productivity
- Better career management
- Improved networking
- More joy, happiness and optimism
- More generosity and compassion
- Feeling less alone or isolated
Gratitude Practices
Gratitude is a muscle that must be practiced daily to strengthen and grow. This Thanksgiving season, I encourage you to adopt habits of gratitude that you can incorporate into daily consistency throughout the year. Here are a few suggestions:
- Keep a gratitude journal. Write down 5 things daily you are thankful for.
- Take a fast from complaining, whining or blaming. Complaining focuses on the problem, not the solution. Try it for a day. And then two. How long can you go?
- Find at least two people every day to say thank you to.
- Use visual reminders of the things you are grateful for. Place post-its listing your blessings on the mirror, refrigerator or steering wheel.
- Change your self-talk. Turn the negative into something positive. Thick thighs? Be grateful for the legs that move you throughout your day. Frustrated with your job? Be thankful for the income it provides and believe you have a purpose for where you are today. Learn all that you can while you are there. Fight with your partner or BFF? Find one positive thing every day about them and tell them. Life is short and can change in a heartbeat.
Do you have a practice of gratitude? I’d love to hear about it!
Wishing you and your loved ones a Happy Thanksgiving.
With love, gratitude, and kindness,
Lori
If you found this article helpful and want to say thanks, click here to buy Lori King a coffee.
