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Gratitude is not only the greatest of all virtues, but the parent of them all.
Cicero
In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
In my last show, I talked about the physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits enjoyed by people who have a generally grateful attitude. How do we tap into these benefits, especially we parents who are often distracted, tired, or drowning in laundry? In this podcast, I cover four things we can do – simple, practical things – to increase our experience of gratitude as parents. Why is this important? Because the benefits come from making gratitude a habit rather than sitting around waiting to feel grateful. We can do this!
Here’s an overview of I talked about on the show:
Express Thanks
When we recognize a gift or a blessing, we experience the emotion of gratitude, which is a blessing in itself! But we can increase our happiness and well-being even more by at least occasionally expressing our thanks to the gift giver. (Also, it’s just good manners. Really.) (Also, write thank you notes. People will be happy. And grateful back.)
Make Visual Reminders
We can place in a special place a visual reminders of a gift or blessing we appreciate. For example, we might display art our kids have made for us, or we might paint some rocks decorated with words for the things we’re grateful for (a child’s name, a special lake we like to visit, a talent we have). Your whole family might practice gratitude by keeping a gratitude jar in the middle of a table or on your family altar.
Keep a Gratitude Journal
Keep a gratitude journal, recording daily or weekly five or so things for which you’re grateful. This practice heightens your awareness of little gifts and blessings even when you are not journaling.
Prayer
Christian prayer often begins with a gesture of praise and thanksgiving to God. God never tires of gifting himself to us, even when we overlook or reject this gift. On the show, I shared how I use the Ignatian Examen, a prayer format that begins with a prayer of gratitude. We review our day and look for God’s presence in our conversations, interactions, and in the insights we had, and we thank God for his goodness and grace. Whether you express gratitude to God through the Examen or some other Christian prayer, when you make a habit of praying in gratitude, your perceptions begin to change. You begin to see God’s presence in everything; you become more attuned to the blessings and good things that God is sending your way, and you are able to give credit the First Giver: God.
Resources
The Gratitude Jar by Josie Robinson. In this book, Robinson shares how a gratitude practice transformed her life; she explains how she uses a gratitude jar.
How to Use a Gratitude Jar by Josie Robinson. Here’s an article by Robinson focusing solely on her gratitude jar.
An Attitude of Gratitude at Ignatian Spirituality. Audio; guided prayer focused on gratitude.
Reimagining the Ignatian Examen by Mark Thibodeaux, S.J.; explaining the examen prayer.
The Method of Making the General Examen. Article explaining how the steps in the Examen.