Practice Makes Perfect

On September 14^th, 2017 I started a daily gratitude practice. Every day since, I have celebrated at least five things that I am grateful for.

I’ve written about my gratitude practice before, but the truth is, I still feel a bit awkward talking about it. It’s a complete one-eighty from where I came from.

I’d be willing to bet that a few of you will stop reading right about here, and that’s OK. It’s like anything else; you have to experience it for yourself to see the true value in it. But, gratitude isn’t a quick switch. It’s a gradual progression.

I have celebrated over 2,000 things that I am grateful for since I started this habit and it is easily one of the biggest shifts I have made to improve my mindset, ever.

While gratitude enhances the things I am already inherently grateful for yet often overlook, the real gold in this practice is found on the difficult days. The perspective that it gives me in challenging situations, and the shift that I have witnessed on more than one occasion in those who are involved in my gratitude project with me, is remarkable.

I try my best to weave gratitude into my days; there are those days where this is certainly easier than others. I take notes throughout the day to reflect on at night, when I compile my list. It’s the best punctuation on any given day, but especially for the less than ideal ones.

Find a reason to be grateful. Find several. Don’t just cherry pick them, although some days you will find that you must; dig in and find the good in the challenging.

It’s there. I promise.