1,000 More Reasons to be Grateful

This year, I have 1,000 more reasons to be grateful, and I’m not over-exaggerating. At the beginning of 2021, I decided to start each day with a new habit: writing down three things I’m grateful for. With all simple habits, it’s easy to do. (But it’s also easy not to do.) By the time my birthday hits on December 31st, I’ll have written down 2,190 reasons to be grateful over the past two years. Here are some important things I've learned about gratitude.

Gratitude Keeps You Healthy

According to?Psychology Today, there are scientifically proven benefits to expressing gratitude. Grateful people are physically and emotionally healthier than people who aren’t thankful. Gratitude increases empathy and reduces aggression. It improves existing relationships and forges new ones. Grateful people have better sleep quality and higher self-esteem. Gratitude reduces stress and enhances mental resistance.?Sounds like we could all use a daily dose of gratitude, along with our multi-vitamin!

Gratitude Keeps You Present

A few months into my gratitude practice, I noticed something interesting. As I went about my day, I proactively paid attention, looking for reasons to be grateful. I wanted to make sure I had something amazing to write down for my daily three the next morning! I started to savor everything more often: my delicious food, my time with family, and the beauty of nature. In the past, my brain would have been mulling over my lengthy To-Do list, or daydreaming.?My gratitude practice has made me more mindful and present.

Gratitude Keeps You Blissfully Content

Being grateful daily reminds me of all the amazing things I already have right now. A safe place to live, running water, plenty of food in the fridge and pantry, more than enough money to pay the bills, friends and family who love me. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with?wanting things?or creating goals for the future! You can do both. My coach, Melanie Ann Layer, says the magic happens when you have?“one foot firmly planted in gratitude for what is, and one foot stepping with desire into the future.”

Gratitude Keeps Things in Perspective

As look through this year's list of 1,000 reasons to be grateful, I see certain patterns and recurring themes. What I'm most grateful for in my life are my relationships. I’m grateful for my relationships with my Creator, my husband, my parents, my siblings, my nieces and nephews, my extended family, my friends, my clients, my online community of connections, and of course, my 7-month-old kittens, Marvin and Miley.?Life is nothing without other people to share the experience with.?Being grateful for these people (especially when they’re annoying and imperfect) keeps things in perspective.

Gratitude Keeps You Celebrating

We don’t celebrate enough!?It’s so easy to gloss over major accomplishments when your To-Do List is still a mile long. I’ve been guilty of this in the past, but no more! I accomplished a great deal this year and I’m grateful for my efforts and persistence. I published my 3rd book, Financial Dignity After Divorce in paperback, Kindle, and Audible. 2022 will be the highest income year in my coaching business, despite only working 25-30 hours a week.

I fulfilled a long-held dream of spending the entire month of February close to a tropical beach. I appeared in Woman's World Magazine's "Ask America's Ultimate Experts" column, twice! And the Money is Emotional podcast will be launched before year end! Wow, sometimes I don't think I give myself enough credit. Expressing gratitude for my accomplishments reminds me to celebrate myself.

During this second year of gratitude, my husband and I have experienced an even greater level of financial abundance. At this point, I'm going to say that it's NOT a coincidence.?I will most certainly continue my humble habit of expressing gratitude for at least three things each and every day!?The benefits are too amazing not to.

No, this year has NOT been perfect.?My family has been through all the major holidays without my stepmom this year. My 18-year-old cat, Little Tiny, got sick and died while I was away in Florida. There were still disagreements, doubts, and disappointments. Yet, I have gratitude even in the midst of those things. Why? Because I have a full life - not a perfect one - and that's something to be grateful for.

What are you especially grateful for right now?