If you are still undecided whether to begin a practice of gratitude for yourself, I would like to present you with a simple challenge. Find for today only one random thing in your environment for which you can be grateful. This is a low-input activity that can be a good way to give new impetus to your striving for gratitude. Read on and I will show you what I mean.
What you need to pay attention to
It is really simple. There are things to be grateful for, even on the difficult days. In fact, it is even more impressive when you discover little rays of light in the darkest of times. You can look for anything in your everyday life that inspires you. If you don’t leave home that day because of sadness or inability, perhaps the very roof over your head could be your source of gratitude. Even a beautiful flower from your window could be enough to influence your mood for the better. Just find one thing and focus on it.
What you can expect
Let us be realistic. If you take a minute to notice one thing that you are grateful for on your day, your life will probably not change completely. However, it could be an important jump-start to get you on the right track. This is especially true if you are going through a difficult phase. It can be quite useful to reverse a long lasting bad mood even a little bit by acknowledging a small good thing. Remember that our thoughts influence our feelings and behavior.
Future payouts
Sometimes it only takes a small catalyst to trigger big changes. Some consider this to be the philosophy of “baby steps”. Every habit or practice begins with a small step. If you take a moment to be grateful for just one thing in your current environment, it can improve your mood, even if only a little bit. You may find that a weight has been lifted from your chest or that some of your anxieties have subsided. Hold on to this feeling. See if your perspective improves after thinking about gratitude just once today. This brightening of your mood and outlook can make you feel better, which then has a positive effect on your actions. You may also find that it is a little easier to find the one thing you can be thankful for tomorrow.
Give it a try. Find a tiny spark that ignites the flame of gratitude today. Notice the effect it has on you intentionally. You may find it easier and more rewarding to begin the practice of gratitude than you were aware of.
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