How to nurture a thankful spirit during difficult times
It is relatively easy to count your blessings and be thankful when all is going smoothly in your life. Having an attitude of gratitude becomes more ofa challenge during hard times. When you are experiencing financial woes, health issues or some other hardship, it is tempting to fall into the trap of feeling sorry for yourself, becoming depressed and seeing the glass half empty. Here's how to be thankful during hard times:
Maybe your car was repossessed, but fortunately you live right near the bus stop. Focus your energy on the positive things about your life. Instead of thinking about what you don't have or all that is wrong, think about what is good in your life. Dwelling in a negative state of mind only makes the hard times even harder.
Reminisce about the good times in the past. Tell stories of the fun you have had, the experiences that gave you pleasure, even the mistakes you may have made that in retrospect became something to laugh about. Reinforce your stories by browsing through picture albums or watching home movies.
Sit down with a pencil and paper and make a list of your current blessings. A secure roof over your head, a beloved pet, healthy children, a stable relationship, good friends; all are reasons for thankfulness, even in the hardest of times. Go down the list to include even the smallest details of your life and by the time you are finished, your heart with be smiling over your wealth of blessings.
Instead of lamenting over what you lack, find enjoyment in what you have. Maybe you cannot afford to go out to an expensive restaurant for dinner, but macaroni and cheese can taste pretty good when shared with those you love.
Find the humor in your situation. Laughter truly is the best medicine for uplifting spirits, relieving stress and experiencing an overall feeling of well-being. Get into the habit of watching upbeat shows on television and sharing with your loved ones humorous incidents that may have occurred during your day. Not only will you feel better, but your loved ones will as well.
When you spreadjoyto others, you cannot help but spill some on yourself. Give generously to those who might be even less fortunate than you. If you don’t have money to spare, give generously of your time. Volunteer at your local food bank, donate blood, visit a nursing home resident who has no relatives, help out at your child’s school. There is no limit to the opportunities to display a generous spirit.
Every life has peaks and valleys, good times and bad. The secret to happiness is embracing whatever life dishes out with a positive attitude, focusing on the reasons to be thankful even when life presents challenges. An upbeat mindset and a thankful spirit can be the keys to overcoming those hardships.
