10 Ways to Practice Gratitude All Year

Thanksgiving is over, the turkey leftovers have been enjoyed, and we are now officially in the Christmas season.

But what about all that thanks we so freely and enthusiastically gave?

What happens now that all the #30daysofthanksgiving and gratitude challenges are over?

Do we go back to life as normal, with our preoccupations and our worries and our thoughts of all the things we need and want? Or do we continue this attitude of gratitude throughout the year?

These questions are especially pertinent right now as we’re surrounded by Cyber Monday deals and wish lists and Christmas preparations.

And that’s why I’m challenging us all — rather than leaving Thanksgiving in our rearview mirror — to continue the spirit in the days, weeks, and months to come.

Let’s practice the art of Thanksgiving 365.

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10 WAYS TO PRACTICE GRATITUDE ALL YEAR

Start (or continue) a gratitude journal

Start or end each day by listing at least five things you’re grateful for.
Focus on what you have, not what you don’t have

Change your focus and your perspective. When you’re feeling down about the things you don’t have, choose to think instead on all the things you do have.
Open up your world

Spend time in a soup kitchen, shelter, or community help organization; read about (or visit!) third world countries; or read books about the homeless or impoverished.
Be quick to express appreciation

Say “Thank You” often, write notes or cards, and be quick to tell others what you appreciate about them.
Serve and volunteer regularly

Show how grateful you are for your blessings by giving back to your family, your church, your community, and the world.
Surround yourself with positive people

Gratitude is contagious. Positive, grateful people inspire positivity and gratitude in everyone around them. Surround yourself with those people, and be that ray of sunshine to others.
Pray daily

Thank God daily for His blessings. James 1:17 says, “Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” Acknowledge the source of your blessings by giving Him thanks often and freely.
Stop comparing

Stop comparing your family, your possessions, and your life to others’. Do what’s best for you and your family, and learn to be content with what you have. Take regular breaks from social media, if you have to, if you find that it’s leading to too much comparison and discontent.

Related Post: How I’m Breaking Free From the Comparison Trap
Incorporate it into family meal times

Take turns at each family dinner sharing one thing you’re grateful for from the day. Go around the table as many times as you can!

Related Post: Why Family Dinners Are Essential For Strong Family Bonds
Post expressions of gratitude weekly (or even daily!) on social media

There’s no need for the gratitude challenges to end at Thanksgiving, or even November 30. Continue to post personal reflections, inspirational memes, or quotes and Scriptures to express your gratitude throughout the year.

RESOURCES FOR RAISING MORE GRATEFUL KIDS

Many of us desire to instill grateful attitudes in our children, especially in today’s world where entitlement grows increasingly rampant.

Here are a few resources I have found helpful in my own efforts:

{Article} Raising a Grateful Child: Tips & Activities | Cheeredonmom.com
{Article} Training Kids to Be Grateful | Focus on the Family
{Article} 10 Ways to Raise a Grateful Kid | PBSParents
{Book} Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World, by Kristen Welch
{Book} The Me, Me, Me Epidemic, by Amy McCready

Gratitude and thanksgiving aren’t things that should be relegated to one day, or even one month, out of the year. They’re attitudes of the heart that should be cultivated and practiced all throughout the year. Especially as Christians and especially if we want to foster that in our kids.

This Thanksgiving 365 attitude is something I want to develop in my own life, and I hope you do, too. If so, take these 10 ideas and use them to practice gratitude all year long.