While being thankful doesn’t always come naturally, it can change your life if you make it a habit.
We all want to live a happy and fulfilling life. And the way to get there can seem like a long and winding road.
So how do we do this?
Well friend, it involves one of those things that will change your entire outlook on life.
It will make your day to day life easier and everyone around you will notice and wonder how you’re doing it.
The Transforming Power of Being Thankful
Several months ago my pastor challenged everyone to a “Thankful Challenge.” Every morning when getting up, writing down ten things you’re thankful for. And doing it again in the evening before bed.
Now I’m by no means a morning person. So I never really did the “morning part” except for on the weekends. And I definitely didn’t always do it every evening either. But I’m making it a point to write down anything and everything I’m thankful for.
If something happens at work, I write it down. If I had a good conversation with a friend or my husband encouraged me, I write it down too. Even little things, like enjoying a cup of coffee or the promise of spring in the air.
It makes my heart happy seeing my list and it has changed my life in many ways. It can do the same for you.
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You will be in a better mood.
When someone is really grumpy, everyone steers clear of them.
I know none of us want to be that person, and being thankful will definitely help with that! It will make you more aware of what you have and what actually matters.
You will radiate these positive vibes to those around you and become a better person in the process.
2. You Will Be More Appreciative.
Instead of complaining that it’s raining again, you’ll remember that we don’t control the weather. And that is something to thank God for!
You will feel good just embracing your surroundings and making the most of each day in front of you.
3. You Will See Things in a New Way.
I recently had a doctor’s appointment, and they talked a LOT. I felt that they were holding me up because of it.
The next time I was there, I was thinking of my “thankful list” for the evening. And it dawned on me: I was thankful for this doctor! I’m normally not a big talker, so it never felt awkward because I could listen as they talked.
4. You Will Inspire Those Around You.
Have you ever been around someone who exudes positive energy? It’s infectious right?
You have the desire to encourage someone in that same way.
And when you begin to have a thankful heart, people will take notice. Often subconsciously. But they’ll be drawn to you and your energy.
5. You Will Be Better at Handling Stressful Situations.
I once bought a used camera online. I made sure to “play with it” before handing over my money, making sure it worked.
A week later it died never to work again. (I even bought a new charger cable, to no avail). Initially I was really frustrated (a little angry too), I contacted the seller and they never had issues.
So knowing there’s nothing else I could do, I accepted the fact that I’d essentially “wasted” $200 on the purchase. In the past I would’ve lingered on it much longer.
6. You Will Learn About Yourself.
You’ll begin to notice that you will be better at looking at things from a new angle and change your perspectives.
Especially when the unexpected comes up. It will make your days less stressful.
In being thankful and making it a habit, you get to experience the power of your mind. You really have the ability to shape your days.
7. You Will Grow Closer to Your Spouse.
A thankful heart creates ripples in every area of life, none more so than your marriage.
Instead of nagging your husband or getting frustrated, take a moment to think on something he did for you in the last while.
Sure it may not be what you would like him to do right now, but if he’s making an effort that’s what really matters. When you practice intentionally being thankful it will make a big difference.
8. You Will Grow Closer to God.
You’ll begin to see how much God is blessing you on a daily basis.
There’s something powerful about seeing it all on paper, the everyday little (and big) things you are thankful for.
Of course with “blessings” I’m not referring to material things (though God can and does use that as well) or that everything is smooth sailing.
It means that you’re able to accept where you’re at in life and where God has placed you during this season of your life.
9. You’ll Be Okay With Not Being in Control.
When you start to understand the impact of being thankful in all circumstances, you can let go of the need for control.
Because there are so many things beyond our grasp, instead of getting flustered you accept and appreciate your circumstances.
You will feel your own sense of power knowing you’ve done what you can do and that the rest is not up to you.
10. You Will Be Motivated To Chase Your Dreams.
It’s so easy to run out of steam in the pursuit of our goals and dreams. When the unexpected comes up, often we panic and don’t know how to keep going.
If you start practicing and applying a thankful heart to your situations, you’ll be amazed at the new approach you will take with your life.
You will still get frustrated time to time, and there’s definitely appropriate times where you won’t feel thankful. But you will be able to remind yourself that it’s temporary, and that will make it easier.
You will be able to carry on and keep working at your goals.
Be Thankful and Watch How Your Life Will Change
Life isn’t always easy. It throws curveballs we don’t see coming. Sometimes it’s a very painful curveball.
The way to deal with it is not to avoid it but rather to challenge it and embrace it. Choose to be thankful, even when you don’t feel like it.
Choosing to be thankful is a bit like choosing love: You won’t always feel like it, but you must choose to act on it regardless of your feelings.
Here’s a quick recap of how being thankful can change you as a person:
- You will be a better mood
- You will be more appreciative
- You will see things in a new way
- You will inspire those around you
- You will be better at dealing with stressful situations
- You will learn about yourself
- You will grow closer to your spouse
- You will grow closer to God
- You’ll be okay with not being in control
- You will be motivated to chase your dreams
Living out thankfulness won’t always be what we think it is.
It’s in the every day things.
The sunrise, talking to an old friend or not stressing out when you dish out $200 for a camera that doesn’t end up working.
Whether you start your own Thankful challenge, or list at least three things in your head before you fall asleep at night, you will definitely notice a shift if you make gratitude an intentional part of your life.
Click here to download your own quick worksheet so you can start writing down what you’re thankful for.
Don’t forget to save this pin for later too!
There’s no better time than right now to start on a new habit!
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