I believe that getting into the spirit of appreciation is one of the most powerful shifts we can make in our life. Why? It helps us feel better now, and given that we create our reality based on how we feel, we attract better things for us in the future.
One of the reasons we want certain things and look forward to future events is because we think we will be happier then. The trick is to feel better now. How do we do that? Practice the art of appreciation.
We get more of what we focus on. If we are focused on the positive aspects of our life, we get more positive things to enjoy. When we focus on the negative, we get more of that. Put intention behind your thoughts, and you will create more momentum in that direction.
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the idea of gratitude and appreciation and how I can more formally incorporate it into my life and thought I’d dedicate an article to this topic. No matter who we are or what situation we’re in, getting into the spirit of appreciation will always help us create a better life.
In this article, I’ll give you ten ways to get into the spirit of appreciation. But first, some reflection.
Reflecting on Gratitude in Your Life
- How do you express gratitude in your life, and how can you express gratitude more freely and openly?
- Why do you think it is important to express gratitude?
- How can you formalize expressions of gratitude and appreciation and make them a natural part of your lifestyle?
- What are you grateful for?
In my book SOAR, I share some personal thoughts on the power of gratitude:
“Several years ago, I heard someone say that there is always something to be grateful for. It is a relatively common thing to say, but I thought to myself, “Really?!? Even when you’re struggling to make sense of a situation? Even when you’re in the midst of pain?” Believe it or not, the old adage is correct. Times like that are, in fact, the best times to articulate what you are grateful for. The exercise forces you to reframe the situation. It forces you out of a mindset of “lacking” into a mindset of abundance. It raises your vibration instantly. Tying back into how the Law of Attraction works, it is precisely the pathway through which we will attract more positivity and bring things to be grateful for into our existence.”
Letter of Gratitude to the Universe
In SOAR, I include a letter that I wrote to the universe, expressing gratitude and appreciation from the bottom of my heart. Here it is:
“As you know, I am a big believer of bookending every unit of my life, from the most minute to the most grandiose, with gratitude. Each day begins and ends that way. In the morning, I’m grateful for the opportunity to drive my kids to school. I’m grateful for the mound of dishes I have to do after I get home because it means that they still live here and I can have breakfast with them. I’m grateful to have a lifestyle that allows me to share these special moments with them. In the evening, I’m grateful for yet another day in my physical form shared with those who are an important part of my life.”
Each momentous chapter begins and ends that way.
I am grateful for all of my life experiences. They are all gifts, even the challenging ones. Every single one of them has played a major role in shaping who I am.
I am grateful for the courage to embrace change, and as a result, I no longer fear the unknown.
I am grateful that you have sequenced my life events in such a way that I have discovered my purpose.
I am grateful for the most significant influences in my life, including but not limited to my parents and my tribe.
I am grateful for the four amazing children with whom I get to share my earthly journey.
I am grateful to have the opportunity to co-parent with one of the most amazing dads in the world. His dedication and commitment to his kids are unparalleled, and it is truly an honor and privilege to carry out this mission together.
I am grateful for my audience, whether it turns out to be one person or many.
I am grateful that you have introduced me to Abraham-Hicks, whose teachings have been a powerful and grounding force in helping me navigate my earthly journey.
I am grateful for everyone who played a part in turning the dream of writing this book into a reality.
Sometimes I stress that 100 years won’t be enough time to soak up all the amazingness that this world has to offer. Sometimes I stress that I won’t have enough time to accomplish everything I want to accomplish in my time here. But, then I anchor back on the phrase that grounds and centers me every single time — “Trust the process.” Everything is as it should be, in every moment. The best is yet to come, and together, as co-creators, we will ensure that always holds true.
10 Ways You Can Express Gratitude
There is an endless number of ways to express gratitude and appreciation in our lives.
- Appreciate YOU! Don’t look around for something to appreciate just yet. Start by looking in the mirror. Take time to appreciate all the goodness you bring into this world. Think about how you positively impact others. Think about how you serve others. Think about all the times you made somebody’s day a little brighter. Think about your gifts and talents and how they make the world a better place.
- Write your own original “Dear Universe” letter, and include as many things as you can think of. Really dig deep here.
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Each week, think about someone who has made a positive impact on your life and write them a short note thanking them.
- Think more expansively. For example, when you’re grocery shopping, rather than just running through the store grabbing items on your list, take a moment to think about everything that went into getting the food ready for purchase — the farmers, the delivery drivers, the weather conditions, the technology. The list is endless. You can do this with any aspect of your life.
- Appreciate your rock bottom moments. That probably sounds crazy, I know. But as I look back on my life, I am now able to see how (over 15 years later), my rock bottom moment prompted me to start my soul work, which is why I’m doing what I’m doing today. How has your rock bottom moment helped you choose growth?
- Identify challenging situations you’ve experienced and find something it helped you realize. Did you emerge with a different perspective? A new-found view of your situation?
- Start a gratitude journal.
- Before you get out of bed in the morning, take a few minutes to think about how you’re going to make the most of the gift that’s right in front of you — this new day.
- Think of something you want in the future, and express gratitude for it now.
- Help cultivate a culture of appreciation by helping those around you get into the spirit of appreciation.
Manifest Your Future Through Gratitude
Gratitude is a powerful tool for helping us create the life we want.
We’re accustomed to receiving something and then subsequently expressing gratitude for it after we receive it. Expressing gratitude on a regular basis is a foundational element of spirituality and is one of the cornerstones of the manifestation process. Here we express gratitude for things already in our lives as well as that which we are trying to manifest. It may seem counterintuitive because it goes against the normal sequence of events that we are used to (receiving first, expressing gratitude second); we must reprogram our minds to adopt a new way of thinking. Act as if you already have it. Think as if you already have it. Talk as if you already have it and give thanks for already having it.
I hope you have found some helpful takeaways in this article and see the value of getting into the spirit of appreciation.
Wishing you a week full of love, light, and gratitude.