Life is busy.  Even when time is afforded for myself, there are still many things floating through my head, and at the end of the day, I think to myself,  “Did you give gratitude today?”   I have realized that gratitude does not have to be spoken or even thought, but it does have to be felt.  Gratitude takes place in the heart more than the brain.

Think about it. A child accomplishes something and comes running to you to share with pride.  You don’t think, “I am grateful that he was successful and wanted to share it with me.”  You do feel and share his happiness with a big smile and maybe even a hug, and a few kind words of encouragement.   Are these not expressions of gratitude?

Another scenario may be arriving home after a long day of work, and busy traffic on your commute. Before getting out of the car, you sit a moment and take a deep breath, slowly letting it out.  You may not give gratitude for completing the day, arriving safely, or having a moment of peace and calm, but in that slow breath, are you not conveying that message?

Spoken gratitude is a gift to others as well as yourself in that it keeps you mentally grateful.  But it is far more than words; gratitude is a feeling you express from your heart.  It is found in a smile, a sigh, recognition of something beautiful in nature.  Acknowledgment of God’s creations is a form of gratitude, as is respect for the purity of waterways, and the sky and other gifts of the universe .  Compassion for living beings shows gratitude for their creation.

Living a life of kindness, responsibility, love and integrity is showing gratitude for all you have.  Verbalizing is a wonderful thing but living a life of gratitude and appreciation from the heart is expressing your true self, and at that time gratitude becomes effortless.

Thanks for participating!

Beth