Whenever I sit down & think about life, I come to the realisation that I have a lot to be thankful for. It's easy to get bogged down in the daily grind and concentrate on what we lack, but taking a moment to acknowledge the positive aspects of our lives can have a significant positive effect on our wellbeing.

It is believed that expressing appreciation can have a wide range of positive effects, including bettering one's physical well-being, happiness, and interpersonal connections. We divert our attention from unpleasant thoughts and feelings when we concentrate on the good things in our lives and express our thanks for them.

Starting a journal is one way to incorporate gratitude into your daily routine. Every day, write down three things you're grateful for. They can be big or small, but try to be specific. Maybe you're grateful for your family, a supportive friend, a beautiful sunset or even a warm cup of tea. Taking the time to reflect on these things can help you feel more positive and optimistic.

There is also another way which is to express gratitude to others. When someone does something kind for you, take a moment to thank them and let them know how much you appreciate their actions. Not only will this make them feel good, but it will also strengthen your relationship with them.

Gratitude is a powerful tool for improving our overall well-being and happiness. We can train our minds to focus on the positive things in our lives and express our appreciation for them, we can shift our perspective and treat ourselves to happiness. 

It is important to remember that practicing gratitude is not about denying the challenges and difficulties in our lives. It's about acknowledging the good things, no matter how small, and finding ways to appreciate them. This can help us build resilience and cope better with the inevitable challenges we all face.

Doing this may take some practice, but the benefits are well worth it. In time, we may find ourselves feeling more optimistic, happier, and more satisfied with our lives.

As an author once said, “Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.”

I'd love to hear from you - what are you grateful for today? How do you practice gratitude in your life? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let's inspire each other.