Listen, I used to make fun of the “gratitude” people.

Internally, of course. Do you remember that Gratitude Journal that Oprah made popular back in the 90’s, early 2000’s? I always thought, ‘of course it’s pink. That is for fluffy, weak people who have never really experienced anything difficult.

Since then, I have changed my tune. I have come to realize thankfulness, active gratitude is one of the most courageous things you can do. It takes real strength to choose to see what is good in your life. You access optimism. You live in humility. You reinforce greatness in others. All by noticing what you have.

I want to give you six ways to act in thankfulness but before I go there, I want leave a note of clarification here. Being grateful does not mean you accept what is sucky in your life. In fact it is quite the opposite. When you are thankful for what you have, you sort of release what isn’t working by changing your attention to what is. You say, enough with that yuk. I’ve thought enough about you. I’ve cried too many tears. I’ve had too many internal battles, imaginary conversations. I’m done. Now I will see what is good. I’ll tap into what works. I’m ready for something better.

 

So don’t think being grateful means you are accepting the crumbs from your life. Quite the opposite. You are standing in your majesty, confirming the good, and requesting more.

Back to our scheduled programing, the ways you can ACT.

• Call and say thank you.

So often we do things and wonder, was that what they needed? Did anyone see? Of course we mustn’t be doing so we can be noticed. That will most certainly take any benefit out of the energy, but it will encourage. Speak those well-wishes. Tell them how it impacted you. Open the door for conversation, for a chance for you to see what you can do for others.

• Write a thank you note.

Unless you are reading this during the holidays, I bet if you went through your mailbox, you would see marketing material, coupon books, and bills. Rarely do we receive written thanks anymore. So write a thank you note, be detailed about what you appreciate in that person and what have done for you. A note can be saved, and accessed later. You never know how it might impact that person long term.

• Plan for your future.

I mentioned this in the video I created this week, 4 hard benefits to being thankful, but I often think of my family when I am accessing gratitude. They didn’t have much and they were very committed to their spiritual integrity. I know I stand on their shoulders, that so much of who I am is due to their commitment and integrity. The best way to honor their sacrifices is to plan well for my future. It makes it all worth it.

• Pay it forward.

If you have much to be thankful for, look around and see the need. There are SO MANY people under your nose that need your help. They need a hug, some cash, a ride, a hook up. Say a prayer of thanks for what you have and give from your abundance.

• Accept your life as is.

So often we reject our lives because we think acceptance means you are agreeing to stay where you are. If you can accept your now, with all it’s strange mixture of good and bad, if you can feel thanks for the moment, you can “surf” out of any difficult on the energy of gratitude. What do you need to accept? Stop denying and you can move on!

• Meditate and pray.

Turns out praying is an action. It takes effort to sit quietly, tune out all the garbage and pray out your thanks. If you have to, write out everything you can think in gratitude. Pray FOR the people in your life. Pray for your world. Praying changes your perspective, it changes your energy and it puts you right in the middle of the flow of your best life.

Thankfulness. Who knew? What seemed like such a passive thing is one of the most active and life-changing acts available to you. Look around my friend. See the abundance. And step in to grateful action.