Let’s Give Thanks

As I’ve shared before, being grateful is more highly linked to mental health, happiness, and well-being than any other character trait. And the good news is that we can cultivate gratitude through deliberate practice.

So, here are a few of my favorite quotes on gratitude:

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” Anonymous

 “Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you’ll never, ever have enough.” Oprah Winfrey

“I cannot tell you anything, in a few minutes, will tell you how to be rich. But I can tell you how to feel rich, which is far better…than being rich. Be grateful…It’s the only reliable get-rich-quick scheme.” Ben Stein

“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.” Willie Nelson

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” Thornton Wilder

“Gratitude for the present moment and fullness of life now is true prosperity.” Eckhart Tolle

This is a time of year when we typically step back and reflect on the blessings and goodness of our lives. So, here are few questions to contemplate on this holiday. Perhaps you can use few of them to deepen and lighten the sharing around your dinner table.

1. Name one thing that made you smile or laugh today.
2. Can you think of a non-material gift you have received recently?
3. What about your life today is better than in the past?
4. What’s the last song you heard that you enjoyed? How did it make you feel, and why?
5. What have you witnessed recently that reminded you that life is good?
6. What’s something you witnessed recently that reminded you that people are good?
7. What simple pleasure have—or could—you enjoy today?
8. What’s the kindest thing someone has done for you lately?
9. Who is always there for you, and how do you feel about them?

Happiness is less about the circumstances of our lives and more about the focus of our lives.

So, how about if today you focus more on thanks-giving rather than complaining?

What’s right more than what’s wrong?

Your reasons for hope rather than fear?

And enjoy this day and season of your life.