Gratitude – the practice of reminding ourselves what we have, what we experience, to be grateful for, is a key component to psychological health and mental well being.

This is the perfect time of year to practice Gratitude.  Not only as we celebrate Thanksgiving, but as a regular daily or weekly practice.

One way to do that is a simple list – a Gratitude list.  Take a moment to think of all the things you are grateful for – friends, family, food, football on Thanksgiving, the job I have that provides a life for my family, the opportunity to help others, parents that encouraged and maybe even pushed me a bit, a loving wife, two beautiful and intelligent daughters.  I could probably keep going for a while.  I challenge you – how many things can you list that you are grateful for?

The other idea might be a little bit harder – but equally, or possibly even more rewarding.  This is the idea of turning our grumbling into gratitude. It is a cognitive exercise of trying to find the positive in negative situations – or as Frankl writes it, to discover meaning in our suffering.  I’ll offer a few personal examples:

“I can’t believe I’m going to stay up all night smoking this turkey” could be reframed as “I am blessed to have in-laws that love me and know they can count on me for a well-cooked meal for the holiday!”

or

“I am NOT looking forward to working outside after this to rake up all those leaves…” can be adjusted to “I really love the fall foliage around our house, and the beauty of nature in the spring, a few hours of work is well worth the joy get throughout the year.”  Or, maybe not as positive, but one I may have heard recently, “I’m really looking forward to testing out that new leaf blower and seeing how far it can push a farm cat!”

or

“The holidays can be such a burden” to “I am privileged to live in a country where we get to celebrate holidays in peace and freedom”, or “I truly am fortunate to have family that wants to spend time with me, a place to gather with them, and the means to enjoy a meal together.”

or

“These kids are driving me NUTS!!!” to “Although they don’t always behave as I would hope, I am truly blessed to have healthy children with the health and ability to speak, think, and even argue sometimes.”

It takes a little more work – but choosing an attitude of appreciation and gratitude in the face of frustrations changes everything.

I hope you have a wonderful and meaningful Thanksgiving with friends and family this week.  – Dan