World Gratitude Day started way back in 1965.
A group of people from different places in the world were gathered at a Thanksgiving meal, honouring special people among them. The host was Sri Chinmoy, a meditation guru, also director of the United Nations Meditation Group. He suggested the idea of a global unifying holiday. Each of the people attending the meal pledged to hold a gratitude gathering on 21st September every year, in their own country.
Now maybe it’s not a holiday with time off work or school for everyone. But since Sri Chinmoy’s suggestion, World Gratitude Day has been marked in many countries around the world.
So, how might you mark World Gratitude Day?
Something simple
It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate. It might just be a moment to think about what you are grateful in your life. Maybe do it now. Or maybe take a moment before or after a meal, or before you go to bed to think about your day. What are you grateful in this day?
Like candles?
Or if you are someone who likes a bit of ritual, you might light a candle and think about or say what you are grateful for.
If you are social
Or if you are a social person, you might meet up with a few friends and let them know it’s World Gratitude Day. What are you each grateful for?
Benefits to being grateful…
Thinking about and listing a few things you are grateful for each day, can help improve how you feel about yourself. It’s a simple exercise. But like any exercise it takes practice to make a difference.
More suggestions
Here are some further suggestions, thanks to Globoforce, Work Human (adapted from the work of Robert Emmons:
Keep a Gratitude Journal
Spend a few minutes every day to write down what you’re grateful for.
Remember the challenges
Remember the hard times that you have experienced. This contrast is fertile ground for gratefulness.
Ask Yourself Three Questions.
Ask yourself and reflect on three questions:
“What have I received from ?”,
“What have I given to ?”, and
“What troubles and difficulty have I caused?”
Practice
Go through grateful motions like smiling, saying thank you, and writing letters of gratitude to trigger gratitude.
So, what are you grateful for?
If you are not sure and want some idea, check out: YouTube: Gratitude in Britain Jubilee Centre.
Thank you for reading! Thank you for visiting my blog!