Over the last 6 months I made a decision to focus on gratitude. Every day I have written down (and posted on social media) three things I am grateful for. And it’s changed who I am.
I had always heard that focusing on being grateful can change your life. That taking time time to actually think about and write down what you’re grateful for can shift your mindset. I never believed it could do that much. I was wrong.
In general I am a positive and grateful human being. I am acutely aware of the privileges I have been born into, given, and worked for. I enjoy being happy. I truly am able to find the good on every situation.
Yet writing down the things I am grateful for each day has really allowed me to focus more on those things.
When I first started to write down my daily gratitude, I struggled. I had always thought these things had to be profound to count. That’s wrong. You can be grateful for the little things too. In fact, I encourage you to be.
When I realized I was 6 months into this thing, I started to really look at the impact it’s had on my life. I am more committed to the things that matter. I am less willing to disturb my peace for trivial things. I’m significantly more grateful for 2020 and the lessons it’s teaching me. I refuse to call it a terrible year. I’m giving focus to my passions and values. Overall, I feel better able to handle what life throws at me.
Gratitude can’t solve everything. I realize I am lucky to have a job, my health, family, friends — even good food on the table. And I am eternally grateful this year looks like that for me. It does not for everyone.
All the same, committing time to gratitude has given me a gift. It’s given me perspective and it’s given me time to see the positives in my life.
The world is insane right now. And gratitude won’t solve everything, but it can change your perspective. It can offer you some sense of normalcy. And it can show you that as bad as things can be, there are silver linings.