GratitudeНамуна

Learning to Practice Gratitude

Gratitude is a learned behavior. While some people are more naturally grateful than others, we can all work at developing an attitude of gratitude. It’s not rocket science, but it does take practice. Try the following steps:

1. Start small. Don’t feel pressure to come up with eloquent prayers of thanks. Thank God for your house or apartment, for the meal you just ate, for the ability to speak or hear. Don’t be afraid to start small. Gratitude is gratitude, regardless of what it’s for.

2. Express thanks to others. Tell the people around you how grateful you are for them and what you specifically appreciate about them. Try it!

3. Start a gratitude journal. Write down what you are grateful for. Though we live in a hyper-digital age, the physical act of writing is good for the brain. “Handwriting triggers more robust brain activity,” according to Psychology Today, and “writing by hand is associated with stronger neural encoding and memory retrieval.” Brain workouts are good for us.

4. Practice gratitude regularly. Aristotle taught that excellence is a habit. If we want to feel the full effects of gratitude, we must practice it often. For me, gratitude is part of my morning routine. When I get up, I know I have time set aside to journal, pray, practice gratitude, and read the Bible. If we don’t work gratitude into our daily or weekly rhythms, we can never experience its full benefits.

5. Turn your gratitude into a coping skill. When we write down what we are grateful for (even simple things), our brain grasps them better. When we drop into a funk, are stressed, or get triggered, we can feel calm and even pleasure if we recall those things. In that moment, the positive effects of gratitude act as a healthy coping skill.

6. Revisit your reasons for gratitude. One of my favorite things is reminiscing on previous journal entries. One recent entry expressed thanks for “my son’s praying to receive salvation, the opportunity to speak to a church youth group, a good meeting with one of my elders, and the health of a growing community group.” As I remember these experiences, I am reminded of God’s goodness then and now.

Gratitude is a great practice. It’s helpful in the journey of recovery and healing. It is definitely worth the work!

This devotional was adapted from blog entries at Pure Desire Ministries International.