True Joy = Gratitude

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

Albert Einstein

Welcome Back!

First of all, I’d like to apologize. (I know it’s a Nine thing to apologize too much, but this time it’s for good reason!) I really planned on keeping this blog up, and I have not been doing an adequate job of that, considering it’s been almost a month since the last time I posted. Honestly, I won’t get too into it, but life has been extremely crazy. However, that has meant that I have thought of some new things to talk about, including a new series!

Speaking of that New Series…

My new series is going to be all about joy. Joy is an important thing to me, and as a Nine, I do try to keep things positive, however I struggle with thinking the best thoughts sometimes. It can be easy to slide into a negative cycle, and hopefully we can grow together through this!

Today’s Takeaway:

The number one way to have joy is to be grateful. That means saying thank you to the guy that picks up your trash, the person that holds the door open for you, the people in your life that have always been there for you. Any time there is an opportunity to say thank you, do it. Sometimes, I feel like expressing too much gratitude (if that’s such a thing!) would be the wrong thing to do. Like, I’ll randomly feel thankful for certain people in my life, but I won’t do anything about it because I feel like they will think it’s weird of me. But then I realize how a random “thank you for being there” or just extra appreciation would make my day. And I’m sure many of you might agree to that feeling too. Suddenly, all you’ve been doing for others has paid off just by a few words.

If you notice what you have, you will have an immediate “spirit lift”. Trust me on that one! It will let you realize how many prayers have been answered that you haven’t thanked God for recently, how many people may need your help who you were overlooking, or just how amazing it can be to be alive. I’m saying all this during one of the hardest seasons of my life and during a season that I know has been insanely difficult for many loved ones. Why am I going on and on about how amazing life is right now? So that I can keep going with hope and joy into the future. And I hope that you can too.

Practical Tips for Becoming More Grateful

• Thank random people (like strangers or people you don’t know very well) who do things for you. They are often under-appreciated.
• Thank people who are close to you just because. They will greatly appreciate it.
• Keep a journal full of answered prayers, and if you keep a regular journal, write three things that you are grateful for each day.
• Take a moment to breathe each day and reflect.
• Realize all that is happening in the world right now, and how you have an important role to play!
• Read some inspiring verses or stories.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

~1 Thessalonians 5:18