Being Grateful is a Skill

Are you looking to increase your gratitude in life? Did you know that being grateful is actually a skill.

The more you practice it, the better you will get at it, just like playing a musical instrument. And coming from that musical background, trust me, I know all about practicing. The more you practice it, the more cognizant you are about what you are thinking. As you consciously think about gratitude and being more grateful, you will start to increase the levels you experience.

It is the opposite of Out of Sight, Out of Mind. Having it on your mind triggers you to do it. My father had a phrase he liked to use – “You have a one track mind.” My siblings or I would get something in our heads and focus on it constantly.

It is almost surreal when you start to think about what you are thinking about. Not just thinking things, but think about what you are thinking. And ask yourself, “Is this serving me the best way? Is this the best way I should be thinking?” A lot of times, you may catch yourself going, “Oh! That is just wrong. Let me change that and continue on.”

Try associating something with gratitude. For me, I use water. Whenever I see water, I think about something I am grateful for. When I drink a glass of water, I think about it. When I pass a lake while driving, I think about it. Water has become my trigger for gratitude. Even though it is in the forefront of my mind most of the time, water will force me to think of something!

When I go swimming – OMG! I come out of the water filled with gratitude! Each stroke I think of something, someone, somewhere, and some how… I am elated by the time I exit the water!

Practice being grateful and you will find that it gets easier and easier. You will soon see that you have a higher level of gratitude in your life!

Be Well.