A Regular Gratitude Practice

I adopted my own regular gratitude practice a few years ago.

Most weekdays I start my workday by writing down three things I'm grateful for, and then meditating for about 10 minutes. It helps me start my day focused and calm, and it has also taught me a few valuable lessons about myself:

1. I am often most grateful for very simple things.

Of course, I am grateful for the big things—the big win at work or when something great happens for my kids. 

But mostly, I find that I am grateful for small things. When I read my gratitude journal back, I can see that I am most often grateful for things like:

• Feeling cheerful and energized

• A walk outside on a beautiful day (and even in terrible weather, soaking up the elements rather than fighting them)

• Feeling connected to someone I love or care about

• Supporting others in the moments they really need it

• The opportunity to not rush, and to enjoy the flow of the day

• Seeing my children grow and develop 

• Building a day that matches my energy level

2. The things that I feel most grateful for are largely within my control.

Most of the things I am grateful for, because of their simplicity, are things I can make happen most days.

While I can't control many things, such as exactly how upbeat or energetic I feel on a given day, I can increase the odds by going to bed on time, and making time for exercise. It is within my power to make sure that each day includes at least a few of the key things that make me feel thankful and happy.

3. My happiness and fulfillment are not contingent on the "big things" like a vacation or an exciting development at work.

Because having a gratitude practice has shown me how much contentment small, daily acts bring into my life, it has helped me to shift my perspective: I do not need to be "waiting" for vacation or a big opportunity at work to feel happiness. 

Yes, those big moments are exciting. They bring on the dopamine and they feel GREAT.

But those events are more infrequent, and daily joy and contentment feel wonderful too, albeit in a calmer way. And best of all, daily happiness is within our reach and we can increase it by designing a life that is a good fit for us.

I would love to know: Do you have a regular gratitude practice, and if so, what has it taught you?