{"id":772,"date":"2013-02-16T18:15:48","date_gmt":"2013-02-16T18:15:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dev.theexecutivehappinesscoach.com\/?page_id=507"},"modified":"2018-10-02T13:36:44","modified_gmt":"2018-10-02T17:36:44","slug":"practice-gratitude","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theexecutivehappinesscoach.com\/2013\/02\/practice-gratitude\/","title":{"rendered":"Ten Practices for Gratitude"},"content":{"rendered":"
Gratitude\u00a0<\/strong>(grat-i-tood), noun:\u00a0the quality of being warmly or deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received; thankfulness<\/em>.<\/p>\n Gratitude is the most powerful of all the positive emotions, forming a solid foundation for experiencing more happiness, optimism, hope, and joy.<\/strong>\u00a0Practiced regularly, gratitude shapes your worldview toward noticing abundance versus scarcity, since it focuses on what you Have versus what you Lack. When you speak with others about what you are grateful for, you bring positive energy to that conversation. Grateful people make better friends, parents, coworkers, and leaders. Finally, when you practice gratitude, you will feel more content with the world, no matter what your current state (even unemployed!).<\/p>\n If you want to learn the piano, you must practice, practice, practice. The same is true of emotional states. To tap the power of thankfulness, create an intentional practice of Gratitude. What would that look like for you? Some conditions to consider:<\/p>\n Some are simple, some complex; some are high-tech, low-tech, visual, verbal, or physical. There is no \u2018perfect\u2019 practice, so create one that works for you. Here are practices used by others (or me) that I know have worked.<\/p>\n I recently led a diversity program for a high-school junior class, and used \u201cThe World as 100 People\u201d info (see\u00a0http:\/\/miniature-earth.com\/<\/a>\u00a0for an eye-opening look at human statistics). I was reminded that as a middle class American I am incredibly blessed. I have a roof over my head, I have access to clean water and sanitation (43% of humans do not have that basic need met), I have an advanced education (a rare privilege in most of the world), and I have food on my table every day (not true for 37 out of every 100 people, including many in America).<\/p>\n When was the last time you broke bread and gave thanks for the fact that when you turn the faucet, clear water emerges? Or that your lights go on when you flip the switch? Or that you are able to live without fear of being kidnapped in your own home?<\/p>\n You probably don\u2019t spend much time giving thanks for difficult co-workers, tough teachers, your failures, or past suffering. Yet everything in your life that stretched you into the \u2018dark side\u2019 can help you feel grateful today. When you\u2019ve survived tough times, you have a starker contrast against which to rate your good times, plus you know you have the strength to survive.<\/p>\n For example, when my youngest brother died of leukemia, I emerged from a terrible experience with a much deeper appreciation for life. While \u2018Gene\u2019 was my boss, I assessed I was living Hell On Earth; yet I\u2019ve found it easier to appreciate every subsequent boss or client, knowing that \u2013 no matter how awful \u2013 they aren\u2019t as evil as Gene (truly)!<\/p>\n In what ways might you be grateful to your hardships and challenges? How have they supported your growth or learning? How have your past bad times helped you appreciate today?\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cEverything that happens to us has a blessing built into it.\u201d ~Dr. Wayne Dyer<\/em><\/p>\n The next time your family and\/or friends are gathered at table, invite them into the spirit of Giving Thanks with one of the following:<\/p>\n Easy \u2013 Say One Thing<\/strong><\/p>\n Before dinner, ask each person at the table to say out loud one thing for which they are grateful. To keep it real, invite them to use the Because Test, for example: \u201cI am grateful for _____ because ______.\u201d<\/p>\n Medium \u2013 Write Ten Things<\/strong><\/p>\n Lay a sheet of paper at each place, and invite everyone to write down ten things for which they feel grateful. Ask people to share three out loud.<\/p>\n Kick it up a notch:<\/em>\u00a0every item on the list should pass the Because Test.<\/p>\n Two notches up:\u00a0<\/em>challenge them to write down 25 items!<\/p>\n Difficult \u2013 Get Personal\u00a0<\/strong>(payoff if it works: priceless)<\/p>\n As each person arrives, hand him or her a marker and five 3×5 index cards (have more available if needed). Before and during dinner, they will write out each card to other individuals present at dinner, expressing thanks for something they\u2019ve done or been. Remind people to think about the \u2018little stuff\u2019 as well as the obvious. After dinner, invite everyone to go to the other person(s), read their card aloud, then hand them the card.<\/p>\n Tips:\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>You do the first reading, to model it (stand next to and face the person).\u00a0Hugs are optional.\u00a0<\/em>Have tissues ready.\u00a0As host, have yours pre-written<\/em>. Stretch yourself to cover the \u2018less lovable\u2019 family members, so everyone will receive at least one card.\u00a0Remind all that the exercise is about GIVING thanks, and invite them to notice how good it feels to share Gratitude.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~<\/p>\n Jim Smith, PCC, is The Executive Happiness Coach\u00ae.<\/strong>\u00a0He is an international speaker, executive and life coach, and author. He provides his clients with inspiration and practical tools to live a happier life and build more positive work cultures. He is the author of\u00a0Happiness At The Speed of Life: 13 Powerful Strategies for Finding Happiness at Home and On The Job,\u00a0and has touched the lives of over 10,000 people worldwide through his work on Positive Emotion and Leadership. You can connect with Jim at\u00a0theexecutivehappinesscoach.com<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Gratitude\u00a0(grat-i-tood), noun:\u00a0the quality of being warmly or deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received; thankfulness. Gratitude is the most powerful of all the positive emotions, forming a solid foundation for experiencing more happiness, optimism, hope, and joy.\u00a0Practiced regularly, gratitude shapes your worldview toward noticing abundance versus scarcity, since it focuses on what you Have versus … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5789,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20,21],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nThink it, Feel it, Do it.<\/h2>\n
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Ten Gratitude Activities<\/h2>\n
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Deepen Your Practice: Notice the Basics<\/h2>\n
What About Your Challenges?<\/h2>\n
Do This For Yourself (and Your Family)<\/h2>\n