Government Jobs Interview Questions
3) BEGIN A GRATITUDE JOURNAL
Write in a journal at the end of each day. Note two things for which you are grateful. You may want to recall what made you smile, laugh or feel good all over. An example might be that you appreciate the warmth of the sun or hearing the birds chirp on a morning walk. Journaling may make you realize that life indeed has much to offer that is available for free – we just have to recognize it!
Create a journal for a spouse/significant other. How many times do we think about what we lack instead of thinking about we have? We might focus on behaviors such our spouse forgetting to take out the trash. We may even verbalize these thoughts to them.
However, did we make any comments about the things that our spouse/significant other did unprompted? Did we say thank you? Did we even recognize it? Creating a journal for your beloved can have two benefits. First, you will recognize and be grateful for what you have. Second, the journal allows for your spouse/significant other to feel appreciated.
4) TEACH CHILDREN ABOUT GRATITUDE
Children model adult behaviors. Thus, when they see us say thank you or send thank you cards, we are showing our children the importance of being grateful. Make time to show a child ways to be appreciative. This can be your child, the neighbor’s child, a grandchild or a niece or nephew. A simple activity would be that you could assist them in making a thank you card.
5) CREATE LISTS
There many different kinds of list that you can create to facilitate a new zest for life. Here are a few topics to consider:
6) SEND THANK YOU CARDS
Recall the last time that you received a thank you card in the mail. How did you feel? Reignite the same feelings by writing a thank you card for someone else.
7) INCREASE YOUR AWARENESS
Make gratitude a daily part of your routine. Participate in some type of activity each day that brings gratitude into your existence. Recognize that being grateful allows more good things to come into your life.
About The Author
© 2004 All Rights Reserved. Theresa Castro, MBA, is career coach and author of the critically-acclaimed book, The Dark Before the Dawn: 70 Secrets to Self-discovery in which she outlines strategies for repairing relationships, finding the ideal career, learning to relax and effectively balancing work and life. For more information, visit www.TheresaCastro.com.
