Have you said thank you to someone to show how grateful you are for them today? It’s such a small thing, but it can have a huge impact on your life and the life of that person. Find little ways to incorporate gratitude in your life, and you’ll be much happier, and make the people around you much happier as well. That will have a ripple effect that will make the world a better place.
Saying thank you isn’t hard at all. But the words can lose meaning if they’re just words. You need to say them with sincerity, or show your gratitude through little actions. Can you imagine a world where everyone showed gratitude? I can accept the world as it is, and at the same time, show my gratitude for what a wonderful world we have; in doing so, my little acts of gratitude will radiate throughout the world, changing it in subtle but profound ways.
Incorporating gratitude in my life (even if I’m not always successful at it) has changed me and has made me happier. I recommend it heartily. For those who’d like to do little things to show their gratitude to a specific person or to life in general, here are a few ideas:
1. Create a gratitude practice. On many mornings I do a little ritual: I close my eyes and take a couple of minutes to think of the people and things I’m grateful for. That includes you readers, and of course my loved ones, and others in my life.
2. Give a free hug. Only do this when appropriate, especially these days, but if you have a loved one in your life, give them a hug! Often we can go too long without showing our affection and gratitude, even to those who are closest to us. By “free” hug, I mean don’t expect anything in return – just give it as a gift of gratitude. If you give a hug to a stranger, be prepared to run very fast afterward.
3. Give thanks for today! You don’t even have to thank a person, you can thank life itself! Wake up, and greet the day with gratitude. Be thankful you’re alive!
4. Here’s a favorite gratitude prayer of mine by the Dalai Lama, who tells us: “Everyday, think as you wake up, ‘Today I am fortunate to have woken up, I am alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others, to achieve enlightenment for the benefit of all beings, I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not going to get angry or think badly about others, I am going to benefit others as much as I can.’” 5. Do someone a free favor. Without expecting anything in return, do something nice for someone. Just something small. Get them a drink or a coffee, do a chore for them, offer to do an errand, anything they’d appreciate, really. Think of what the person likes, wants or needs, and try to do something to help them. Actions speak louder than words, and doing something nice will show you’re grateful more than just saying it.
6. Give a little gift. It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive, but a little gift can be a tremendous gesture.
7. Give someone a list of all they’ve done that you’re grateful for. Take five minutes and make a list of 10 or 50 things you love about someone, or things they’ve done for you that you appreciate.
8. Surprise someone with kindness. Actually, this is mostly the same as Item #5, but with a twist: surprise the person. That little extra step of surprising them can make a big difference. When your wife comes home from work, have a lovely dinner prepared. When your mom walks out her front door in the morning, have her car nice and clean. When your daughter opens her lunch pail, have a little note and a treat waiting for her.
When life gets you down, when you’re hurt or angry or confused or frustrated, take a moment to stop and close your eyes and find things to be thankful for: your health, family, job, the roof over your head, your next meal, the beauty of the world around you, the good people in your life. Whatever you can think of, be thankful and express that gratitude somehow. Realize all is not bad in this world, and be happy for that.
