4 June 2023 - Successful people practice gratitude

Gratitude is a conscious, positive emotion one can express when feeling thankful for something, whether tangible or intangible.

The benefits of practising gratitude are endless. People who practice gratitude by taking time to notice and reflect upon what they're thankful for experience more positive emotions, feel more alive, sleep better, express more compassion and kindness, and even have more robust immune systems.

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity … it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” - Melody Beattie

Experiencing more gratitude is easy and doesn’t take much time. Try these ideas and see what works best for you:

• Make a list of things that you are grateful for

• Take five minutes each day/once a week to think of and write down three things that happened to you since the past day/week that you’re glad you experienced

• Thank people for the contribution that they make in your life

• Take time to think about people that make a real difference in your life. I do this once a week and send people a mail to thank them for their contribution in my life. It is amazing to see the responses of these people once they have received my gratitude note.

The Bible says that we should be grateful in all circumstances.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT) Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:15 (NLT) And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Psalm 95:2 (NLT) Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him.

Gratitude refers to the ability to show thanks for the things you have and the things you're grateful for. It helps you get closer to God by recognising all the blessings in your life and makes it easier to focus on the positive.

Psalm 118:24 (NLT) This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Colossians 2:7 (NLT) Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

“Always remember people who have helped you along the way, and don’t forget to lift someone up.” ― Roy T. Bennett

I conclude with: “We must find time to stop and thank the people who make a difference in our lives.” ― John F. Kennedy