It’s a thankful time of year, so I’d like to challenge you to be very intentional this year about gratitude. A few years ago, I started practicing thankfulness every night before I fell asleep. Each night, when my head hits the pillow, I recount the blessings of the day, big and small. On most nights, I fall asleep with thankful thoughts.

If thankfulness hasn’t been top of mind for you, here’s a way to get started. Choose a method like a journal or notes app on your phone, and write down specific things that you are grateful for, from small daily occurrences to larger life events. If you do this daily, maybe just write down one thing, and if you do it weekly, write several. Get specific with each one, and reflect on why you’re grateful for it. Make this a regular habit and being grateful will start to be a way of life, one that will change you and most likely your familiy.

Here are some ideas to get your started on being thankful. Write down:

Simple pleasures: A warm shower, a good cup of coffee, or a favorite song.

People: Friends, family, or even a kind stranger.

Experiences: A great meal, a beautiful sunset, or a highlight of your day.

Personal growth: Lessons learned from challenges or skills you’ve developed.

Things you often take for granted: A roof over your head, clean water, or a comfortable bed.

Anything that brings you joy: Hobbies, pets, or a favorite book. 

For some folks, being thankful does not come easily. I was one of those. I would often see the negative aspect of things, excusing it as me being “realistic.” My kids would call me out on it frequently and that caused me to take a second look at myself. That’s when I began my nightly grateful exercise. I still have to fight being negative sometimes because I’m a “realist” but at the very least I’m much more aware of when I am starting to become negative and I can stop myself.

This thanksgiving, do a thankful list with your family or start a thankful journal. Once you start listing all the things you have to be thankful for, you’ll see that your thankfulness should really be lasting all year.

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