More Gratitude = More Happiness

Today I went to a cemetery with my family to see the memorial sites of some relatives. I felt a mix of emotions when we arrived, but I felt stronger through the experience, and I know that everyone will see their loved ones again!

Picture taken by Breezy S.

The experience helped me in lots of ways and I thought I should share some lessons that I learned. Although it is difficult to have loved ones pass on, memories of them can help us to try to be a better person if we are teachable and maintain a good attitude. Such difficult experiences can also help us to:

• Remember what is most important and be grateful for what we do have
• Learn that we shouldn't take anything for granted
• Grow as we have more compassion for other people
• Appreciate more of our freedoms
• Learn more from challenges

Learning to appreciate more helps us to enjoy life more. Doing so is not always easy, but can help us to focus less on our own problems as we think of others.

Last but not least, I want to take time to give thanks and recognition to those that have served this country. Kenneth Vaughan and Steve Brown. Thank you!

Thanksgiving Can Start Now

Just about everybody dedicates time to show gratitude during the week of Thanksgiving. I want to share ways to always be sincerely grateful for all of your blessings. Although this might be something you hear about often, doing it can have a positive impact on your life.

Decide to share gratitude at least once every day. Show appreciation for all the people in your life. Look for simple things that you appreciate. Don't take things for granted. The other day I realized how grateful I am for trash cans!

Give yourself small challenges throughout the year. The following ideas can help you to feel more gratitude:

• Disconnect yourself from your cellphone, I pod, etc. for a period of time. Even only a few hours could make a difference. I did this earlier in the year for a whole day. It was a meaningful experience.
• Write down some things you are thankful for. Write a thank you card.
• Keep a journal. Write down meaningful things that others have done for you, etc.
• Show people you appreciate them. Don't be afraid to compliment others often!

 As you do your best to share gratitude, you will find greater joy.

La acción de dar gracias puede empezar ahora

Casi todos dedican tiempo para mostrar la gratitud durante la semana del día de acción de dar gracias. Quiero mostrarte las maneras de siempre estar sinceramente agradecido por todas tus bendiciones. Aunque tal vez esto es algo que has escuchado a menudo, hacerlo puede efectuarte un impacto positivo a la vida.

Decídete de compartir gratitud por lo menos una vez cada día. Comparte apreciación a cada persona en tu vida. Busca las cosas sencillas que aprecies. No des nada por sentado. ¡El otro día me di cuenta de cuán    agradecido estoy por los botes de basura!

Date pequeños retos durante el año. Las siguientes ideas pueden ayudarte a sentir más gratitud:

• Desconectarte del celular, I pod, etc. por un período de tiempo. Aun unas pocas horas pueden realizar gran diferencia. Yo cumplí con esto más temprano del año por un día completo. Fue una experiencia significativa.
• Escribir las cosas por las cuales estás agradecido. Escribir una carta de gracias.
• Mantener un diario. Registrar las cosas significantes que otras personas hayan hecho a favor de ti, etc.
• Mostrar a otras personas que las aprecias. ¡No tengas miedo de piropear a otras personas a menudo!

Al hacer tu mejor para mostrar gratitud, encontrarás más gozo.