November is here and it seems to be the time of year that people start to focus on being thankful and be more giving of others as we lead into the holiday season.
What I often wonder is why people don’t spend more time being thankful and giving all year round.
Here are 3 tips on how to bring more gratitude into your life and pay it forward more often.
- Write in a gratitude journal. Each day write in your journal what you are grateful for. Be specific. Don’t just write “I’m grateful for my children” but rather “I’m grateful for my child (name) that makes me smile and see more opportunities in life through his/her eyes” The more clear you are on WHAT you are grateful about the better you will feel.
- Say Thank You. This doesn’t mean the murmured “thanks” we do in passing when someone holds a door open. This thank you is specific. For example say to your partner “Thank you for being a part of my life and understanding me the way you do” or say to a sales clerk “Thank you for all your help and the hard work you do every day.” You don’t have to have a big meaningful conversation or even know the person. Just acknowledge what you are thankful for. You would be amazed if you knew how many times just those few words can brighten someone’s day and turn around the energy they have.
- Pay it forward. Have you seen the commercial out that has the person that draws a smiley face on a napkin that is on the ground and hands it to someone that is frustrated? They in turn pass it along to other people that are frustrated. It makes each person smile. Now you don’t have to do that but maybe if you have an extra dollar or two you pay the toll for the car behind you in the toll lane. Or leave a bigger tip in the jar at the counter of the ice cream shop for the kid that is saving for college. It doesn’t have to do with money either. Maybe you help a neighbor rake their yard, or watch their dogs while they are away. Just think of acts of kindness that you can do and others will follow your lead.
Hope this helps you get started! Let’s make the world a better place together!
