To have a grateful heart takes practice. For some of us, we often take things for granted. In trying times we tend to focus on all the things that are going wrong. Sometimes being grateful seems impossible when we’re just trying to survive the day. What I’m realizing, however, is that having a grateful heart is not as hard as it seems.
What is Gratitude?
To be in gratitude or to be grateful, is to be in a state of appreciation and thankfulness. The word gratitude comes from the Latin word ‘gratus’ meaning thankful or pleasing.
To be in gratitude provides many benefits. Being grateful has been linked with increased happiness, better sleep, reduced stress, and improved heart health.
The Meaning of a Grateful Heart
A grateful heart means to be in a heart-centered gratitude state. When I’m grateful, I feel it in my heart, and it’s often a warm, loving and peaceful feeling. In giving thanks my heart feels open and expanded.
It’s easy to be grateful when times are good – when we get a little extra on our pay check; when traffic is smooth; or when our loved ones are happy and healthy.
What about the days when we can’t seem to catch a break? Or when we’re in the valley of despair? To have a grateful heart means that even during times of suffering, we find a small willingness to be shown the blessing in our experience.
To practice a grateful heart is to have trust that whatever is happening – good or bad – it’s for our highest and best interest.
To have a grateful heart is to have gratitude even in the small things. Can we appreciate the falling leaves in autumn? Or can we be grateful for the chair that we sit on and supports us? What about appreciating our favorite cup of tea – and can we be grateful to mother nature and all the people that make the cup of tea possible?
How to Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart
There are many ways to give thanks with a grateful heart. The ways in which we practice being in gratitude isn’t all that important, but I think it helps to do it with sincerity.
Take a Pause and Be Grateful
To start a grateful heart practice is simple – take a pause from whatever you’re doing and recognize one thing that you appreciate. Perhaps you may want to take a deep breath, or a few breaths and then name something you’re grateful for.
Start Each Day With a Grateful Heart
Before you begin your day, start with a gratitude practice. When you first wake up and before the mind starts racing, take a moment and think of three things that you’re grateful for.
Can’t think of any? Even just saying ‘thank you’ is a great way to start the day.
Journal Your Gratitude
This is my favorite way to have a grateful heart – journal what I’m thankful for. You can use any journal or diary, or even just a pen and paper. Writing it in your phone is fine as well. The medium isn’t important, but taking time to reflect on your blessings is practicing a grateful heart.
Check out our gratitude journal prompts.
Write a Letter of Thanks
If there’s someone in your life that has impacted you in a positive way, why not let them know by sending them a letter of thanks. Write down how their presence in your life has made a difference. Giving thanks from a grateful heart is not only felt by them, but it’s also felt by you.
Look For Opportunities to Say Thank You
I find that if I have the intention to be grateful, the opportunities will be presented to me. Set an intention for each day that you want many experiences where you can say thank you and see what happens.
Maybe someone holds the door open for you, or your friend treats you to a coffee, or maybe you see a rainbow after a rainy day, or maybe someone makes you laugh. Say thank you, and be grateful for the opportunity.
Grateful Heart Prayer
You don’t need to subscribe to any religion to pray. Praying with a grateful heart is universal, which to me means finding some quiet time, and perhaps a hand over your heart and pray from there.
Here’s an example of a grateful prayer:
I am grateful for today. I am thankful for all the blessings and abundance this day will bring to me. I am grateful for the joy, the smiles, the laughter, and the peace that I will witness in others and in myself. I am grateful for all the heart opening experiences that will bring me closer to the truth of myself. Whatever the day brings, I am grateful that I have the willingness to see the gift of miracles in all that is given me.
Having a grateful heart does take practice. But the more we practice being grateful and thankful, no matter what is happening – the good and the bad – the more we can embody our natural state of gratitude.
Writer and globe wanderer, who's interests not only take her to distant corners of the world, but also to undiscovered regions of her inner Self. Marina is a student and facilitator of A Course in Miracles (ACIM). She practices forgiveness and gratitude to transform her relationship with herself and others.
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