If you were to score yourself over 10, how thankful will you say you are on a daily basis? An 8? A 4?
Gratitude is one of those virtues we know we should practise often. We know that at every point in time we should be at the very least 99.9 % thankful! But we fall short. Oh sometimes we fall really short!
Disappointments happen, and life gets tough. From slim bank accounts to stressful jobs, annoying spouses and everything else in between.
But not withstanding – we must be thankful.
Although I’ve once claimed to be American (the hilarious story in this post) I’ve never celebrated an official thanksgiving. It almost always falls on my birthday week. How amazing that will be – double celebrations! Hopefully, maybe someone will invite me over soon. If you do, please make sure there’s some turkey! It often looks so glorious in photos.
It’s amazing that the Americans take a whole day out of the 365 or 366 in a year to be officially thankful. But we don’t have to wait for that one day.
Every day is a good day to be thankful. Because although our circumstances could be better, it could be very much worse.
If like many of us, you’re often super thankful sometimes and other times slightly lacking in gratitude here are some ways to cultivate a heart of constant thanks!
It’s in no particular order so based on what we scored ourselves we might need one or all.
1. Take on a Gratitude Challenge
I’ve seen these around social media and I think it’s awesome. A lot of them truly let you reflect on some things you possibly take for granted and should be more thankful for. Some challenges provide some sort of guidance – i.e a 30 day Gratitude challenge which may provide certain specifics you are most grateful for. i.e Day 1: Food, Day; Music, Day 3: Technology etc.
Others like the 100 day challenge give you the free will to choose whatever it is you’re grateful for! Write down your notes in a gratitude journal and truly appreciate these little things. Reflecting on your day at night might also help you realise moments you may have missed.
2. Create a Gratitude Board:
Pretty similar to the above – but more visual. So we’ve probably heard about inspiration and vision boards which help us project future plans and where we will like to be. How about we create a fancy gratitude board – with pictures and clippings of some of the amazing moments, people and events we will forever be thankful for. Seeing this often does something powerful to our minds, reminding us of all we have to be thankful for.
Above the pictures, it might be helpful to include an over arching gratitude mantra – a phrase that encompasses your thoughts on gratitude.
3. Deprive Yourself of Some Things
Do you think it sounds counter productive? Like ‘how on earth is depriving myself going to make me more thankful’. Well it will. Whether it’s a little of a big thing for a day, a week or a longer period, depriving yourself could make you realise how thankful you are for that opportunity.
As an example, one who typically complains about being stuck in traffic may become more appreciative of having a car at all if forced to walk or use a public means of transportation. If you complain about your slow internet – try going a whole week without access to the Internet! Let’s see if your perspective wouldn’t change. So find something you’re often not content about, and turn the tables by depriving yourself!
4. Get Involved in Volunteering!
The beauty of volunteering, particularly in relation to causes affecting the poor, homeless & less privileged, the sick and the helpless is that is really does put things in perspective and show that many times, we already have the things that truly matter and our gratitude levels should be sky high.
If you think your house is too small, try visiting the homeless and hearing their stories. And if you often complain about the distance you have to walk, imagine caring for a paralysed person. Last weekend I saw the movie ‘Me Before You’ – the novel is pictured above. I cried so much! After an accident William became paralysed from the neck down. It puts a lot in perspective and we must be thankful for all we are.
Related: That Time I begged on the Streets of London
5. Avoid Unhealthy Comparison
The reason you’re probably less thankful is because you probably think someone else is better of than you. True, lots of people are better off. But hey, lots of people are worse off. Stay thankful for where you are.
Related: Social Media Envy & Comparison: 10 Tips to Kill it... Dead
6. Watch your Words & Thoughts
We know how much what we say and think could affect our moods and general attitudes. So be sure that you’re generally thinking positive and uplifting thoughts as well as speaking them out loud. Listening to inspiring podcasts, reading inspirational books and generally taking control of what you feed your inner self is a step in the right direction.
Related: Controlling our Tongues: Saying the Wrong Things and Learning to Stop
So back to the initial question. Out of a 10 how thankful are you on most days? What are your challenges to being thankful and and which of the above tips help improve that score. I’ll say I’m somewhere between a 7.9 to 8.5 on most days.
And now, let’s all imagine we’re Americans sitting at a table with a huge turkey (and some yummy vegetarian option!) what three things are you most thankful for this year!
Share with us.
Love,
Kachee… xx
pS: I’m considering a 31 day gratitude challenge for December! Anyone want to join? Not sure what form it will take so ideas are welcome. We can create our own challenge!
You may also like:
Sauniya
November 26, 2016 at 21:53I love everything about this post. I think I would score my daily gratitude between 6 and 8. As I’m typing this though I hope I am actually aware of all I should be thankful for and that I don’t take too much for granted. I recently posted on 24 things I was thankful for, and writing things down made me realize even more how blessed I truly am. I really like the idea of a gratitude board, I’d have to do something like that. I’m down for a 31 day gratitude challenge. I can’t think of a creative one atm though. Have a great weekend Kachee! :)xoSauniya | Find Your Bliss ♡
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
November 30, 2016 at 07:42Thank you Sauniya! I’m hoping to do a board as well and I can totally picture events that will be up there. I’ll be sharing details of the challenge tonight! Stay tuned.
Trisha
November 28, 2016 at 05:22I have been thinking about starting a gratitude journal. I’ve seen a few stores have have them but I’m sure I can use an old notebook or journal for mine. And I’d be very open to doing a gratitude challenge in December! Count me in!
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
November 29, 2016 at 12:02Yay! Trish (okay to call you that?)Hopefully the details of the challenge will be up on the 1st! I[‘m excited you will be joining in.
Omowumi Oguntuase
November 28, 2016 at 09:16I’ve learned over the years to be grateful for everything, both good and bad times. I can’t complain about life because God gives me the greatest gift of all everyday- LIFE. Love this post Kachee. I was going to drop a super long comment on your birthday post but network messed with me LOL.wumituase.wordpress.com
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
November 29, 2016 at 12:03Wums! Thank you. We cannot even take that for granted.Arrgggh @ network. Thank you still!
Amakamedia
November 28, 2016 at 09:20Nice post, Kachee. Gratitude brings joy. And Joy makes life interesting, productive and fun. I have a gratitude diary. During low moments, I find succour in it.amakamedia.com
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
November 30, 2016 at 07:41A gratitude diary is a great idea definitely! Thank you.
Praise Abu
November 28, 2016 at 11:35Lovely post.I probably rate myself a 7 or an 8. Each day I’m super thankful for everything and I can’t even complain because i believe God has given me so much. I recently started volunteering early this year, I volunteered on Valentine day, it was an eye opening experience. I learnt a lot that day. I’m also volunteering this Christmas. My Style Look Book Series
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
November 30, 2016 at 07:43Great Praise! Re Volunteering. I think it’s so awesome and puts things in perspective for us.
Ufuoma
November 28, 2016 at 15:22I love this post! Gratitude is so very important. I like to think of myself as a very grateful person. Let’s say 8.5/10. Even though I grew up in a comfortable family, I was still very much surrounded by people who lacked, even in my extended family. That made me not take anything for granted. Simple things like food to eat, ability to read and write, a roof over my head, sunshine.Even when things aren’t necessarily going as planned, I am blessed to always have something to look forward to. Sometimes, it’s just hope for the future and being grateful for what’s to come, not necessarily what’s already here, which is important too. October was a very rough month for me so I had to pull up my praise file. A book where I write everything I am thankful for, everything I have accomplished, all the places I have been and all the amazing people in my life. I am instantly fired up and extremely grateful after reading it.Today, I am grateful for life and love. And excited that this year is coming to an end and looking forward to the new year.Yes to the 31 day gratitude challenge, I’m here for that!Ufuomawww.theufuoma.comtravel | lifestyle | passion
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
November 30, 2016 at 07:44You have a praise file! That’s super super awesome. I’ll share details of the challenge up tonight. This is so key: “Simple things like food to eat, ability to read and write, a roof over my head, sunshine”.
Precious
November 28, 2016 at 17:31Before now I would probably score a 3 but right now I am at like 9. That’s because I realised that focusing on what I wish I had made me so discontented and unthankful. And it wasn’t a good feeling. Then I started instead focusing on what I have and I realised that I have SO MUCH to be thankful for. I feel bad that I wasn’t counting my blessings enough before. There’s nothing like being thankful, appreciating every bit of good stuff in your life.I’m thinking of the story of the ten lepers in the Bible who were healed by Jesus. The one who went back to thank Jesus was “made whole”.You may be blessed with many things in this life, healed in many ways but it is only an attitude of gratitude that will make you whole.I should have invited you if you were here, Kachee. I roasted a massive turkey with stir fry veggies on the side. Hope you are good, sweetie? Have a blessed week!PreciousCore.com
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
November 28, 2016 at 17:45I have your thanksgiving post opened at the moment! and I’ve just been drooling at the turkey!!”The one who went back to thank Jesus was “made whole”.You may be blessed with many things in this life, healed in many ways but it is only an attitude of gratitude that will make you whole”. I love this!Thanks for pointing that out!
Live In Ibadan
November 28, 2016 at 21:15Very nice read!www.liveinibadan.blogspot.com
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
November 30, 2016 at 07:41Thank you!!
Yummy Mum Life
November 28, 2016 at 21:36I’m definitely always above a 5 especially with stuff I read about.If it starts dwindling I make sure to snap back.Being thankful keeps you in high spirits and just makes you go through life way easier.www.CheecheeLIVE.com
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
November 30, 2016 at 07:40Snap back game tight. Lool! That’s the way to go.
Sarah Enuwa Audu
November 28, 2016 at 22:27I like the idea of a gratitude mood board. Being positive and speaking things into existence is something I try to do but sometimes it’s hard when I give into unhealthy comparisons. This year I’m thankful for making a new friend, progressing in my career and of course God’s undeserved faithfulness. Princess Audu
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
November 30, 2016 at 07:40I know. Comparing can be so healthy. But we have to be intentional and defeat it!
LaraTeshola
November 29, 2016 at 10:05yaaaayyy!!!!! love the idea of 31 day gratitude challenge…. looking forward to it already.
Kachee || KacheeTee.com
November 29, 2016 at 12:03Yay! It’ll be up on the first of Dec. Thanks Lara!
Abby
December 1, 2016 at 12:06Some days I’m a solid 9.5 and other days I’m way below 5.It has been quite a year really, all in all I’m thankful to God for Life, for my parents they provided me the opportunity to take a bold step regarding my career, and I’m thankful for new beginnings and experiences!Xo
@ilola
December 7, 2016 at 16:59I’m thankful for life. The only reason I complain about problems is because I am alive.
nonny
December 13, 2016 at 03:26HI Kacheetee..i first read your blog yesterday ..and i really like your contents..am up for the challenge