3 Practices that Foster Gratitude

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A special message from the ASEA Founder and Executives

Gratitude isn’t just about thank-yous. It’s more than manners and niceties. Gratitude is much deeper and more powerful than that. It is capable of energizing change on a scale we don’t often let it.

By embracing gratitude as an everyday mindset, we tap into a contagious and compelling energy, but re-aligning our mindsets with a new way of thinking isn’t always easy. To get started, here are three practices that foster gratitude.

Shift Your Focus
When we focus our thoughts on gratitude, our little slices of the world become better places to be, because even when things get difficult we recognize that the good in life outweighs the bad.

Gratitude can turn a sinking ship, can brighten the darkest day, can give purpose to the hopeless, peace to the tempest, and love to the hardest of hearts,” ASEA President Jarom Webb shared.

So when the dark days hit, indulge in the fresh air, devour the colors of the settings around you, and bask in the love that surely surrounds you. Staying present and appreciative when things get difficult allows us to overcome our struggles and move forward.

Be Generous
There’s a reason we feel fulfilled when we serve others. Service and generosity put our lives in perspective. We realize that the world is much larger than our immediate environments, and maybe the worries that occupy our minds aren’t as troublesome as once believed.

Generosity is contagious, too.

“To be generous with others is to quietly signal gratitude. Generosity generates gratitude, which, in turn, produces greater generosity,” ASEA Founder Tyler Norton noted.

Much like a dandelion, one simple gesture burgeons a bounty of good deeds.

Work Hard
Achievements obtained through hard work foster gratitude and curb entitlement.

ASEA CEO Charles Funke explained it simply, “Be grateful for what you have, work hard for what you don’t.  Stop complaining.  Stop wishing.  Stop waiting, and start working.”

It’s easy to get caught up in what we don’t have, but dwelling on what we lack is precious time laid to waste. Set your sights and get busy.

As we strive to express gratitude in these three ways, we become forces for good, and couldn’t we use a little more good in our lives?

Try implementing these practices with a focus on feeding your gratitude. Pay attention to your relationships, opportunities, and mood as you do, and post your experience in the comments section!