Gratitude makes sense of the past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. – Melody Beattie

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Thought to Ponder – One small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Happy New Year! There’s something special about this time of the year that should remind you to start every day with an attitude of gratitude. Gratitude turns what we have into enough, denial into acceptance, chaos to order, and confusion to clarity.

Here’s three stages of gratitude that’s important to keep in the forefront of your mind:

• Recognition. Recognize that you will be okay in any situation.
• Acknowledgement. Acknowledge that you are grateful for all that you have.
• Appreciation. Appreciate people in your life who have been there for you.

DEFINE GRATITUDE

When gratitude becomes an essential foundation in our lives, miracles start to appear everywhere. – Unknown Author

Gratitude is defined as the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and return kindness. Simply put, gratitude changes everything. Gratitude is one of the sweet shortcuts to finding peace of mind and happiness inside no matter what you might be going through in life. Gratitude changes the way we start the day, spend the day, and look back on the day. For me, my day always begins and ends with gratitude.

In addition, gratitude helps people:

• Feel more positive emotions.
• Relish good experiences.
• Improve their overall health.
• Deal with adversity.
• Build strong relationships.

IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT GRATITUDE

Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul. – Henry Ward Beecher

When was the last time you showed gratitude toward yourself and to others? Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. If you allow it, gratitude can also unlock the fullness of life. Inhale love. Exhale gratitude.

Here’s some other important facts about gratitude:

• Gratitude shields you from negativity.
• Gratitude makes you at least 25% happier.
• Gratitude helps to rewire your brain.
• Gratitude eliminates stress and heals your body.
• Gratitude can improve your sleep habits.
• Gratitude can help boost your self-esteem.
• Gratitude can help improve your personal relationships.

Remember, your ability to have and show gratitude in your daily life opens your mind, body, and spirit to an abundance of positivity.

EMBRACE GRATITUDE

Gratitude is the single most important ingredient to living a successful and fulfilled life. – Jack Canfield

Honestly, I believe a grateful spirit, rooted in the soil of God’s goodness and grace, will impact how you view and respond to everything in your life. When gratitude becomes your default setting, life changes in a positive way. Now, let’s look at what happens when you embrace gratitude in your life.

• You can find more joy in the present moment.
• You can improve your physical and emotional health.
• You will have the strength to endure hardships and challenges.
• You will have healthier relationships with other people.
• You can work towards living a more content lifestyle.
• You will find that life becomes more valuable and worth living.
• You will deepen your bond with God which gives you more faith, hope, and love.

As you can see, if you embrace gratitude in your life, you will focus on what you have in the present moment not what you lack.

GRATITUDE AFFIRMATIONS

Today I am grateful for all that I am, all that I have and all that is. – Unknown Author

I am grateful for another opportunity that life offers me on today. I am grateful for a fresh start, a brand- new way of thinking and a positive outlook on life. I am grateful for the fact that I can learn from my mistakes, and then let them go. I am grateful for my mind, body, and spirit functioning in a way to inspire others using encouraging words from the soul. I am grateful to have God as my guide, my supporter, and my protector. I am grateful for my husband, children, close family, friends, and readers like you who offers me support every step of the way. I am grateful just to have another chance to get my life right and back on track.

AMAZON RESOURCE – GRATITUDE JOURNAL

TIPS FOR STARTING A GRATITUDE JOURNAL

Gratitude helps you fall in love with the life you already have. – Unknown Author

A gratitude journal is a diary of things for which one is grateful. Gratitude journals are used by individuals who wish to focus their attention on the positive things in their lives. Start a gratitude journal to include a personal reflection (goals, thoughts, feelings), affirmation, scriptures, poems, quotes, kind gestures (writing notes, letters, or making phone calls). Be creative and honest. This process will change your life in a positive and uplifting way.

Here’s some tips to help you start a gratitude journal:

• Choose a journal or notebook that will inspire you to write. You can purchase a journal or make it. Some people prefer lined pages and other people prefer unlined pages. It’s up to you.
• Determine when you’ll write. When you want to create a new habit, the easiest thing is to do it together with something you’re already doing in your life. For example, add journaling to your morning or bedtime routine. Yes, it is that simple.
• Use journal prompts to help you get the most from your journaling experience. When you use different journal prompts, you will quickly learn which gives you the best feeling and inspire you to change. Note – I include journal prompts at the end of each blog post.
• Connect with the emotion. When you experience that feeling, write down what you’re grateful for and enjoy the feeling of gratefulness. Be open and honest throughout the process.
• Do what works for you. Remember, there are no rules to follow. Try it throughout this difficult time and I am sure you will not be disappointed.

Gratitude is a lifestyle that you choose. Overtime, choosing gratitude means choosing joy. It’s a choice that requires constantly renewing of your mind with the truth of God’s Word, setting your heart to inspire others with creativity from within, and disciplining your tongue to speak words that reflect God’s goodness and His grace. May your days be filled with love, happiness, laughter, and gratitude.

JOURNAL PROMPTS

Living in a state of gratitude is the gateway of grace. – Arianna Huffington

I love journaling because it is a safe place for me to put my feelings and emotions into words, then put my words into action. Remember, journaling is your very own personal journey throughout life, your ups and downs, your successes, and failures. Journaling also allows for past reflection, future insight, and present surrender. Ready, set, write!

• How often do you practice gratitude?
• What has been going well in my life lately?
• How have you shown gratitude in your life on today?
• Do you keep a gratitude journal? Why or why not?
• How have gratitude changed your life?
• What is a simple pleasure that I’m grateful for?
• How can I create more acceptance in my life?
• What mistake or failure am I grateful for?
• How have I been holding myself back?
• How can I take a step forward?
• What is something that I’m grateful to have today that you didn’t have a year ago?

Let’s talk. It is important to practice gratitude in your daily life to feel happier and more connected to the world and a higher power. How often do you embrace and practice gratitude? Do you keep a gratitude journal? Please share your thoughts in the comments section. I look forward to reading your feedback!

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow, and forever!

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