Cultivate Gratitude with Boodlz

Welcome to our “Jolt of Joy” newsletter. Last week, Boodlz shared ways to mindfully explore nature’s beauty. We hope that you took some time to enJOY nature. As Thanksgiving is approaching, it seems fitting to examine the power of expressing gratitude in our daily lives. This week we are going to discover ways to be more grateful. So, let’s explore how to cultivate gratitude with Boodlz!

My grandmother always had a warm smile and a focus on what is truly important in this life. Ever since I was a young child, I remember her saying, “Lick your fingers!” Taken literally, it’s probably not the best advice for these pandemic times! However, she was referring to savoring every moment, being grateful, and teaching me to appreciate what I have.

This attitude of gratitude practice is something that I have been following my entire life. I was inspired to create a colorful drawing, shown above, highlighting some of the things for which I am grateful. Continue reading to learn some tips for practicing gratitude and to watch an uplifting short video about being thankful for the gift of this day…

Gratitude

What does gratitude mean? It means to be thankful. With gratitude, you acknowledge the goodness in your life. When you are feeling grateful for something that you are currently experiencing, you are enjoying the present moment. When you cultivate gratitude, you’re able to feel true joy and happiness, no matter what you have or don’t have in your life. As you practice being and feeling grateful, gratitude multiplies.

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”

~ Oprah Winfrey

Ways to Cultivate Gratitude with Boodlz

Here are some ways that Boodlz suggests cultivating gratitude in your life:

• Keep a Gratitude Journal: Take a few moments each day to consciously focus your mind on your blessings and write them down in a journal.
• Write Thank-You Letters: Hand-write a thank-you letter expressing your appreciation to someone. Send it, or better yet, deliver and read it in person if possible. 

• Make a Gratitude Jar (I use a vase): Every day write down what you are grateful for on a sticky note, fold it up, and toss it into the jar. Here’s my gratitude vase! I’ve been alternating between drawing pictures and writing words on each note.
• Get a Gratitude Rock: Find any small rock or object that appeals to you. Carry it around in your pocket or leave it somewhere where you’ll see it throughout your day. Whenever you touch it, pause to think about at least one thing you are grateful for.
• Find a Gratitude Buddy: Choose a like-minded person and commit to sending each other emails or text messages with three things you’re most grateful for that day.

“Wear gratitude like a cloak and it will feed every corner of your life.”

~ Rumi

Expressing Gratitude in Every Moment

David Steindl-Rast is a 94-year-old Benedictine monk, teacher, and author on the subject of gratitude. In the short film, Gratitude Revealed, produced by Louie Schwartzberg and shown below, Brother Steindl-Rast reads a free-form poem of his own design titled, “A Good Day.” He suggests that you “can’t be grateful for everything, but you can be grateful in every moment.” It is a compelling reminder to appreciate all the blessings that each day brings and that we so easily take for granted. I saw a meme recently that asked this question: “What if you were to wake up tomorrow with only the things for which you are grateful for today?” I’m curious, what would be on your list?

Here’s your joy-full activity for the week

Be like Boodlz and cultivate gratitude. Challenge yourself to start noticing what you’re grateful for each day.

Boodlz and I would love to hear about ways that you practiced gratitude this week. Please leave your comments and joy-full responses below.

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