How to Have….

Gratefulness is one thing we should know how to have.

I am grateful for clean water, a safe place to live, food to eat, and wonderful employment. I thank God for these things on a daily basis.

Sometimes it isn’t enough to just think about the things we’re blessed with. You need to be moved to do something.

A few easy ways to express gratitude:

Make a list. It sounds like something you would have done in kindergarten, but making a list of the blessings in your life or the traits of someone special to you is a great way to actually see the things you’re grateful for on paper. (Bonus points if you can get it to rhyme.)

Commit random acts of cookies. I like to give cookies to random to people who I don’t always take the time to say a kind word or much-deserved “thank you” to. If you want to use cute (free!) printables to commit your random act of cookies, find them here. This one is especially fun to do with neighbors.

Spend time in prayer. It never hurts to speak silently or aloud the things with which you’ve been blessed and appreciate them. It will only lead to more wonderful things.

Volunteer. This is a way to show gratitude and make a sacrifice of love at the same time. My Mom shows her gratitude to programs that benefit single parents at our church by volunteering when they need extra help. My sister and her husband worked with special needs children on Sundays. It’s a nice way to give back to the people, places, and organizations that give so much to us.

Make a complaint list. Some seasons are tougher than others. Rather than suppress the need to vent, I like to find a way to get it out without annoying every person I encounter with my negativity. Write down all the things you’re currently unhappy about, and then throw it in your fireplace, paper shredder, whatever will destroy it! You can now move on to making your list of good things!

Skip the text and call somebody. Yes, physically call someone. Better yet, ask if you can meet them for coffee. And once you put all the smartphones, iPads, and laptops aside, really tell them “thank you”. No extravagant gifts, no letters…nothing but a pure, simple “thank you”. It goes a long way.

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