I am thankful for each new day, for my new adventure in Alaska
and for the love of my husband, family and friends.
~ Taylor
Practicing Gratitude
The best way to reap the benefits of gratitude is to notice new things you’re grateful for every day. Gratitude journaling works because it slowly changes the way we perceive situations by adjusting what we focus on. While you might always be thankful for your great family, just writing “I’m grateful for my family” week after week doesn’t keep your brain on alert for fresh grateful moments. Get specific by writing “Today my husband gave me a shoulder rub when he knew I was really stressed” or “My sister invited me over for dinner so I didn’t have to cook after a long day.” And be sure to stretch yourself beyond the great stuff right in front of you. Opening your eyes to more of the world around you can deeply enhance your gratitude practice. Make a game out of noticing new things each day.
University of Rochester partners in crime Edward Deci and Richard Ryan study intrinsic motivation, which is the deep desire from within to persist on a task. One of the biggest determinants is autonomy, the ability to do things the way we want. So don’t limit yourself—if journaling is feeling stale, try out new and creative ways to track your grateful moments. My wife Michaela decided to create a gratitude jar one year. Any time she experiences a poignant moment of gratitude, she writes it on a piece of paper and puts it in a jar. On New Year’s Eve, she’ll empty the jar and review everything she wrote. When a good thing happens, she now exclaims, “That’s one for the gratitude jar!” It immediately makes the moment more meaningful and keeps us on the lookout for more.
We Are Thankful
Each year, at this time, the Merdes Law Office staff reflects and shares that for which we are most thankful. Even though 2021 saw the continuing challenges brought to every one of us by 2020, we each found that we all had something that inspired us to say “Thank You.”
Over the next week, Merdes Law Office will share our 2021 messages of thankfulness with you.
We hope they bring a smile to your face and a reminder that there is ALWAYS a reason to be thankful.
The Merdes Law Firm has been helping injured Alaskans for more than 30 years. It’s who we are. And while we hope you never need us … We’re here if you do. ~ Ward Merdes
Sources: Ward Merdes; Happify; Taylor Mann
