If you have spent any amount of time with me on this blog or elsewhere, you’ll know that I’m a huge fan of sitting down and making lists. Yes, we’re making another list this time. It’s what I call a Yearly Gratitude List.
I like to do this every year and I thought I’d share it with you. Before the year is over, I take the time to write out major things that happened in that year and which I’m grateful for. I generally keep a gratitude journal, and this helps me to go back, reflect and pick the things I’m most thankful for.
Having a gratitude list will do a number of things for you:
- It will cause you to thank God for the many wonderful things that have happened in the course of the year. It will also help you to be grateful to the various people who have been a source of blessing to us. We need to express gratitude to God and to people. Having a list will help us to do this.
- It will change your attitude and your perspective. It’s very easy and tempting to think of the things we don’t have, the things we lost, or the goals that were not achieved. However, when you take pen to paper and create a Gratitude List, you’ll see and realise that you’re truly blessed.
- It helps you to be hopeful. When you see the good things that have happened to you and those around you, you will be assured of the fact that good things still happen and you will learn to expect them to happen.
The year is almost over. There have been hundreds of days this year, and each of those days had 24 hours. I’m sure that you’ve had the good, the bad, the ugly, the amazing, the miraculous, the unexpected and many other things happen to you and those you know this year. If you contemplate it, you will still find a lot of reasons to be thankful.
If you’re not sure of where to start, l’ll help you. You can be grateful for yourself, your family, friends, co-workers, for your country, and many other things.
I’m sure you know people (including yourself) who survived unfortunate incidents, who drew closer to God, who got married, who had babies, who fell ill and recovered, who started new relationships, who got new jobs, got promoted, finished academic programmes, relocated successfully, rose above trauma, started businesses and other endeavours, organised events, got increase in their businesses, travelled safely…the possibilities are endless. You can also be thankful for peace in your nation and other areas of the world. There’s so much to be thankful for. God has been busy and active on our behalf and in our favour!
So, go on and create your 2021 Gratitude List. Among other things, I’m thankful that you are part of The Lifeaholic community. I’m thankful for you!