November naturally invites us to pause and give thanks. But what if gratitude could be more than something we feel when life is going well? What if it could actually change the way we experience our lives?
There is an important difference between thankfulness and gratitude.
Thankfulness is often a reaction. Something wonderful happens—a friend helps us, we receive good news, or someone gives us a thoughtful gift—and we feel thankful.
Gratitude, however, is a choice. It is a way of being.
Gratitude says, I can appreciate my life even when everything isn’t perfect.
One of the things I teach my coaching clients is to notice what you’re noticing. Where is your attention going? Are you noticing everything that went wrong today—or are you also noticing what went right?
Because here’s the interesting thing: what we focus on tends to grow in our awareness.
That doesn’t mean ignoring challenges or pretending everything is wonderful when it isn’t. Life can be messy. We experience disappointments, setbacks and unexpected changes. Gratitude allows us to acknowledge what is difficult while still asking, What is good in my life right now?
Maybe it’s someone who loves you. Your health. A warm home. Meaningful work. A beautiful fall morning. A conversation that made you laugh. Or simply waking up to another day filled with possibility.
Sometimes the smallest things are actually the biggest things.
This November, I invite you to make gratitude more than a Thanksgiving tradition.
Make it a practice.
Each morning or evening, write down three things you are grateful for—and challenge yourself not to write the same three things every day. Take a gratitude walk and intentionally notice what is around you. Tell someone why you appreciate them.
And when you’re having one of those days—and we all have them—stop and ask yourself:
“What can I be grateful for right now?”
You may not be able to control everything that happens in your life, but you can choose where you place your attention. And when you choose gratitude, you begin to see your life differently.
So this Thanksgiving, enjoy the turkey, the family, the laughter and, yes, even a little chaos! But don’t save gratitude for one Thursday in November.
Notice what you’re noticing. Look for the good. Appreciate what is already here. You might be surprised by how much abundance was there all along.
See it. Believe it. Create it.
Denise Fuchs helps to transform lives through her Dream Builders by Design practice. For more about what she's able to do, go to her website, dreambuildersbydesign.com, follow her on Instagram (@denisethedreambuilder), or give her a call at 201-961-3666.
Gratitude says, I can appreciate my life even when everything isn’t perfect.