It's funny how when you feel at your worst you can suddenly become aware of all the things that you have to be grateful for. I always find that when I'm ill I miss so many things that I find myself making a note of them. The process works as a sort of post-illness to do list and it also doubles up as a list of thanks. Whether it's a plan to go for a run or spend time with a particular relative, I'm reminded that I am blessed with great health the majority of the time and that I have a great support network of family members and friends close by.
We shouldn't have to wait until we can't have or do something to be appreciative of its value but with such busy lives we can all fall into the trap of taking things for granted. Taking a moment each day to think about the things we're thankful for is such a positive thing to do. You soon realise that, even in times of sadness or struggle, you have a lot to give thanks for.
So, how can we make more time to give thanks?
Grace before meals
Most of us don't worry about where our next meal is coming from and food in abundance is easily accessible so we can often take it for granted. Saying grace before you tuck into your dinner is a great way to inject some regular thanks into your day. If you're eating with others it's also a great way to join together and be thankful for something as a group. By doing this we take a moment to acknowledge that it's something that we should express gratitude for.
Make lists
We can become overwhelmed with the amount of lists that we have to work through each week - shopping lists, DIY to do lists, lists of tasks to complete at work. Even if you just start of writing down 5 things that you have to be positive about at the end of each day, you'll soon see the list grow. Need some more advice on how to compile a list of thanks? This will help.
Prioritise thanks in your prayers
Starting your prayer by talking to God about the things that you're thankful for is a great way to go. If you've made a list beforehand (see above) then you won't be short of words. Allowing thoughts about how many tasks we have to complete to play on our minds can disrupt our sleep. By setting aside time to thank God just before we go bed we can develop a much more positive and peaceful mindset.
Take a social media break
Being constantly reminded of other people's achievements can make you focus on what you're not doing or what you don't have instead of what you do. We can't hide forever from the positive things that are happening in other people's lives and we shouldn't have to but we need to make sure that we're aware of the greatness in our own lives too.
