By Rania Dawud

An offshoot of positive thinking, practicing gratitude is about acknowledging all the good things that are already present in our lives. To have a gracious mindset is the sensible thing to do but based on how often one usually remembers to step back and truly be thankful, it is easier said than done. 

Practicing gratitude regularly helps in times of adversity and challenges, especially in today’s current climate that’s clouded by much uncertainty. 

It’s almost instinctive that we respond to bad news with a negative reaction, but over time, negative responses and emotions become our default setting. Learning to be grateful for the littlest things will help shift our mindsets into more positive ones, and with time, even some negative news will be embraced with gratitude. 

Don’t wait to be happy and content to be grateful, think “the law of attraction.”

Much like anything else in this world, practicing gratitude takes effort and exercise for it to become a habit. Here are some small ways to begin exercising gratitude:   

Write it down

Keep record of the things you are grateful for by writing them down, either in a journal or on your phone. Have fun with it and be creative, there is no need to be formal. Write down small, practical things that made your life a bit easier today i.e. a cup of coffee, dishwasher soap, etc. 

Acceptance

Embrace all that comes your way, for better or for worse. Adopt the attitude that negative things happen for us not to us. Learning to let go and make peace with all kinds of traffic in your life will ultimately lead to more joy. 

Spend time with loved ones 

Being around family and friends and spending time with them reminds you how lucky you are to have these people in your life. Gratitude recognizes that everything good in your life comes from outside of you. So, make an effort to reach out to those you love by calling, texting or visiting them.