Giving Thanks: The Year-Round Practice of Gratitude

Photo by gisele13. Used with permission.

Earlier this year I was at a meeting. The leader called us to order and asked us each to share a spiritual practice you do daily. Not your average ice breaker question. 

The people around me gave all sorts of great practices: yoga, Scripture reading, prayer. I struggled to come up with my response, and was glad I was one of the last to go. I really wanted to be honest and only name a practice that I actually do daily. And while the things other people listed were great, I couldn't honestly say I did them every day.

When it was my turn, I answered honestly: I said I practice gratitude daily. And I do.

The spiritual practice of gratitude is one you can do regardless of your faith perspective, or even if you lack a faith perspective entirely. It simply requires that you take time each day to be intentionally thankful for the goodness in your life: for the abundance and warmth you're surrounded by, for the love and joy you share with others.

I try to be thankful for big things: that we've managed to stay employed through a tough recession, that our house is warm and safe, that our children are happy and healthy. But I also spend time concentrating on the smallest of things: the taste of coffee when it's perfectly mixed with cream and sugar; the way the moon streamed in through the window last night; how my daughter's face looked when she kicked a soccer ball into the net for the first time. I am grateful for Cliff snoring next to me, because his snores remind me that he's there and breathing, and give me permission to be a snorer myself (which, I'm told, I certainly was last night).

Spiritual disciplines are meant to bring you closer to God - and because I believe in God, gratitude succeeds in doing this. But I think it brings me closer to others as well because it makes me focus on the best there is about them. It makes me more joyful.

On Thursday we'll  all sit down at an over-stuffed table with our friends or family and name one thing for which we are grateful. This year, make a point of extending your gratitude to the other 364 days as well, and see if it brings you closer to others (including your spouse).