5 Items to Include on Every Bucket List: More Gratitude

When I choose a thankful outlook, I can  have freedom from negativity’s grip.

What do you think everyone ought to have on their bucket list?  I think having activities that cause personal growth are key. Thus I have written this series.

• Sunday’s post was an introduction to this series.
• Next Sunday’s post is about Loving God Better.
• Today’s post (Tuesday) is about incorporating MORE GRATITUDE into life.

Do you have a gratitude practice? Having an ongoing, grateful attitude lessens the strangle-holds from fear, worry, and pessimism. We are then free to choose peace, positivity, and proactive actions. It is no secret that practicing gratitude is good for your health, your relationships, and your success.

Related Internet Articles. 

• Can Gratitude Improve Health? . . . The Health Effects of Gratitude
• Why Gratitude is Good
• Gratitude Can Change Your Life

How to do this . . . 

ONE. Participate in internet memes like Friday’s Fave Five. In this weekly post you share five things from the previous week for which you are grateful. Doing this mental exercise helps you focus on the good. This is especially helpful when it has been a tough or even just a blah week. Did you know that you get a mood boost by READING such a list others write? So double for your effort: write your own list and then read the lists of others.

TWO. Write in a gratitude journal: daily, month end recaps, or whenever the mood strikes. Many people end their day by writing down 3 good things from their day. For Lent one year I wrote in a gratitude notebook every night before bed. Read  my post on 3 Benefits of Month-Long Gratitude-Fest.

THREE. Photograph  your gratitude. Join others in a year long journal of photographing a daily blessing. Or be like me and do a month-long photographic journal of blessings. At the bottom of this post are links to the photos I took.

FOUR. Read up on the subject. Especially find out how practicing gratitude benefits your life. I have a small library of books on gratitude. Here is one link, Choosing Gratitude by Nancy Leigh DeMoss – a book review. There are at least 3 other books that have made a huge impact on me. I will do a review on these soon. Check out this link: 11 Children’s Books to Instill an Attitude of Gratitude.

FIVE. Hang around others who have a grateful spirit. Do you know someone like that? Interview them to find out the why and how of their gratitude practice. Make it a point to let their gratitude outlook rub off on you.

SIX. Look for mentors from books who have “gratitude” attitudes. One book on my list is Pollyanna. But on further reflection, does she exhibit gratitude or a positive attitude? I need to reread this book to find out more clearly. I asked friends to chip in with their ideas and below are some of their answers.

• Anne Shirley in “Anne of Green Gables”
• Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tiny in “A Christmas Carol”
• Celie in “The Color Purple”
• Charlie in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”
• Jamie Sullivan in “A Walk To Remember”
• Sam Gamgee in “Lord of the Rings”
•  Can you list any other characters that fit this criteria?

For some of the above and others from the original list, I need to go back and (re)read the books to determine if it is gratitude at work or positivity. I think this would be a good project for me. I will report back on my conclusions.

Your Turn . . .

1. Are you a grateful person? How do you keep that as an ongoing trait? What are some of the benefits?
2. What would you add to this list?
3. What will you add into your life to help you notice and express the good in life more often?

Related Fruitful Words posts . . . 

• 8 Different Ways to Express Gratitude
• Choosing Gratitude And Why It Matters
• Gratitude Letter Writing Project