Gratitude, a lot has been said about it.  But how important is it to express your thanks?  

Hell, I even have a Thankful Thursday on my Facebook page!

Have you thought about whether or not you are showing authentic gratitude?

I’m sure you think you have, but have you?

I’m going to ask you a few questions that I would really appreciate you giving some serious thought to.

  • When was the last time you wrote a note thanking someone for something that they did?  Where you took the time to write it and post it. I’m not talking a text message but a hand written note?
  • The last time you said ‘thank you’ to someone, did you just say it? And did you really mean it with true thankfulness?
  • Do you keep a gratitude journal that you write in faithfully every day?
  • Do you then actually experience that gratitude?

 

Because that is what authentic gratitude is, experiencing the gratitude.  Really feeling it deep within your soul.

If you don’t experience it, then when you say ‘thank you’ –  they’re really just words. There’s no meaning behind it.

Believe me, people can tell when you’re really thankful or when you’re just saying words by rote.

Next time you do the food shopping, and you’ve paid, instead of saying ‘thanks’ and walking off, really thank them as in ‘thank you XYZ (they wear a name badge!) so much for being so friendly to talk to today.

Maybe when you’ve been out buying clothes, you can really thank the assistant for their help in choosing an outfit.

What about when a friend has been there for you?  Instead of just saying ‘thank you for being there’ make it more personal.

“XYZ thank you so much for being there for me today, I know how busy you were and just having you with me and listening without judgment has really helped me, you’re a true friend.”

Make your gratitude authentic.

 

What happens when you’re going through a really shit time?

Seriously, it’s pretty difficult to be able to be authentically grateful when you’re say, diagnosed with cancer.

However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t show authentic gratitude.

Get the hurt and anger out of the way and then think about what that shit situation has given you.

  • Maybe you are now going to appreciate your life more.
  • Or it has made you realise that you finally do have to make some major lifestyle changes.
  • The situation may have made you emotionally stronger.

 

How about, you less likely to now put up with bullshit?

Regardless of what the situation is, you can always find something to show gratitude for, even if it’s putting a positive on a negative – as in, I’m grateful that I now know who not to trust.

When you start, it’s not easy but as you practice it more and more you’ll find it starts to become second nature.

When you start living a life of authentic gratitude, then you’ll find that the way you experience life and the way that you view it will be better for you. Not just those you share it with.

Love & Light

Katrina-Jane