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Life today is hectic. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed at times. Taking time to focus on those things in life for which you are grateful can help you develop and maintain a more positive emotional state. Research has shown that grateful people are generally more alert, enthusiastic, attentive, and energetic. Here are some basic ways to make gratitude a part of your daily life:
- Focus on the nurturing people in your life. Choose friends with characteristics that you admire and strive for in your own life—strong spirituality, a positive outlook, supportiveness, intelligence. Appreciate and support those who support and care about you. Spend quality time with those you love.
- Be grateful for every day—whether sunny, rainy, or cloudy. Be thankful that you have another day to experience life.
- Notice and be thankful for every success, whether large or small. Stop complaining about the negative things in your life.
- Notice the simplicity and beauty of nature every day. Take a walk and focus on the stars, the singing birds, a distant mountain range, or a tree in your yard. Notice details. Be thankful for the beauty that surrounds you.
Be grateful for kindnesses that others show you. Let them know—make it a habit to say "thank you.” Take time to write thank you notes (not just for gifts). Show your appreciation by the things you do in return. - Be mindful of the little things in life that make each day special, especially those you might normally take for granted. A warm home. A good dinner. A smile. Focus on what you have.
- Share the attitude with your children. Teach them to be satisfied with the simple things in life. Set the example.
Keep a gratitude journal. At the end of each day, record at least five things for which you are grateful. - Building time into your daily routine to feel gratitude can improve your emotional well being and overall happiness level.
Rust, yellows, greens, and browns compliment almost any color scheme. Try some of these easy ways to decorate your home for fall:
Fill a woodsy basket with miniature pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, pinecones, acorns, leaves, and dried ferns for a centerpiece. Or place a natural wreath made of pinecones and twigs in the center of the table and fill with natural fall materials. Try white pumpkins for a more elegant look.
To decorate your Thanksgiving table, use small trumpet-shaped vases to elevate mini pumpkins. No vase? Try candleholders or goblets instead.
For an unusual centerpiece, fill a shallow tray with bright red cranberries or acorns, or both. Scatter votive or tea light candles in amongst the cranberries or acorns.
To accent each place setting at your table, place a few faux fall leaves under a salad plate or soup bowl.
For a beautiful fall mantle, line the mantle with miniature pumpkins and weave in a garland of fall leaves. Embellish with candles.
For outside, set a pumpkin on an empty garden pedestal urn. Try a pair on either side of your front door. (Keep the pumpkin from sitting in rainwater by placing rocks, bark chips, or a plastic dish underneath.) Use Spanish moss or fall leaves around the bottom of the pumpkin for accent.
Embellish your outdoor furniture—chairs, benches, or tabletops—with pumpkins of various sizes.
For a great look on your porch, combine pumpkins in a large basket with pots of kale, grasses, and fall-colored chrysanthemums.