Living in Gratitude
Living in gratitude is a beautiful daily practice that can transform the way we see life — and it all begins with just two simple words: THANK YOU.
When we choose to be grateful for the small things in life, something magical happens: we realise that THE SMALL THINGS ARE ACTUALLY THE BIG THINGS. The morning sun on your face, the smell of fresh coffee, a kind word from a friend — they might seem tiny, but they carry the real weight of happiness.
Gratitude is more than just good manners. It’s a positive, nourishing emotion that opens our hearts and reminds us of how much we already have. As children, many of us were taught to say “thank you” automatically — yet as adults, we sometimes forget. Life gets busy, routines take over, and we begin to take things (and people) for granted.
But here’s what I found is true, it’s amazing: gratitude is like a muscle. The more you exercise it, the stronger it becomes. And when we feel grateful for someone or something, it often sparks kindness, warmth, and generosity — both in us and in those around us.
The Science Behind Gratitude
Studies have actually shown that practising gratitude regularly can:
Reduce stress and anxiety
Improve sleep quality
Boost mood and overall happiness
Strengthen relationships
Increase resilience in tough times
It works because gratitude shifts our focus away from what’s missing and towards what’s already present and good in our lives. It’s like changing the lens on a camera — suddenly, the picture becomes brighter, clearer, and more beautiful.
Gratitude isn’t just a “feel-good” idea — science shows it actually changes your mind and body for the better. (I’ve added some info I found online - and for those who don’t know et al simple means “and others!“).
Boosts Happiness – Researchers found that people who wrote down just a few things they were thankful for each week felt more optimistic and happier (Emmons & McCullough, 2003).
Better Sleep – Going to bed feeling grateful helps you fall asleep faster and sleep more deeply (Wood et al., 2009).
Lifts Mood – Writing a heartfelt letter of thanks can lift your mood for over a month (Seligman et al., 2005).
Reduces Stress – Even during tough times, a daily gratitude habit can lower stress levels (Kerr et al., 2015).
Improves Health – Grateful people tend to have fewer aches and pains and take better care of themselves (Hill et al., 2013).
💛 So the next time you say “thank you” — even for something small — you might just be giving your brain and body a little gift.
A Simple, Powerful Practice: The Gratitude Jar
One of my favourite ways to bring more gratitude into daily life is by creating a Gratitude Jar. It’s simple, fun, and works for individuals, couples, and families alike.
How to Create a Gratitude Jar:
Find a jar – Any empty jar will do. If you like, decorate it with ribbons, paint, or a label that says “Gratitude.”
Write your gratitude notes – On small pieces of paper, write something specific you’re grateful for. It could be “the hug I got from my child this morning” or “hearing my favourite song on the radio.”
Be consistent – Add to the jar daily or weekly. Even on hard days, try to find at least one small thing.
Reflect – Every so often, open the jar and read your notes. It’s amazing how uplifting it feels to see the collection of blessings grow.
This practice works because it turns gratitude into something tangible. Over time, the jar becomes a beautiful reminder of joy, love, and connection.
YOUR FREE THANK YOU GIFT
As a special THANK YOU from me to you for visiting my website I’d love to give you this great 30 day Affirmation ebook’ FREE to download here
