Gratitude is a Choice: How to Make It Your Daily Practice

Last updated on September 25th, 2023

Gratitude is a Choice: How to Make It Your Daily Practice

Gratitude has the power to transform our perspective and bring joy and contentment into our daily lives. Gratitude is not just a fleeting feeling that we experience when something good happens to us, but it is a choice that we can consciously make every day.

When we choose to focus on the good in our lives and express our appreciation for it, we create a positive feedback loop that can have a profound impact on our well-being.

In this blog post, we will explore the power of gratitude and how to make it a daily practice.  Whether you are new to the concept of gratitude or have been practicing it for years, this post will provide you with the tools and inspiration to make gratitude a central part of your life.

“Gratitude is a Choice” Synopsis

Let’s break down what it is meant by ‘gratitude being a choice’ as follows

What is Gratitude 

Gratitude is the act of acknowledging and appreciating the good things in our lives, both big and small. Gratitude helps us to focus on the positive aspects of our lives, and to find joy and meaning in even the most difficult situations.

In this way, gratitude can help us to cultivate a sense of inner peace and contentment, and to live more fulfilling lives. Whether we express gratitude through journaling, meditation, or simply by saying “thank you” to the people in our lives, it is a practice that can have profound effects on our mental and emotional well-being.

Gratitude Vs Gratefulness 

Gratitude is a Choice or Feeling

Gratitude is both a choice and a feeling, meaning that we can actively choose to cultivate gratitude in our lives, and also experience it as a natural response to the world around us. When we choose to focus on the positive aspects of our lives and express appreciation for the people and things we have, we can experience a greater sense of happiness and contentment.

This is because gratitude helps us to shift our perspective from one of lack to one of abundance, recognizing all that we have rather than what we lack.

At the same time, gratitude is also a feeling that arises naturally when we encounter experiences or people that bring us joy and fulfillment. When we feel grateful, we experience a sense of warmth and connection, as well as a greater sense of purpose and meaning in our lives.

This can help us to build stronger relationships with others, as well as deepen our own sense of self-awareness and personal growth. Ultimately, gratitude is a choice and a feeling that can help us to live more fulfilling and satisfying lives, no matter what challenges we may face along the way.

5 Inspiring Thankful Gratitude Qualities

Here are 5 inspiring qualities that can help cultivate a sense of gratitude and thankfulness in your life:

1. Mindfulness: Being mindful of the present moment can help you appreciate the little things in life that often go unnoticed. Take a few moments each day to focus on your breath and observe the world around you with a sense of curiosity and wonder.
2. Compassion: Cultivating compassion for yourself and others can help you see the good in even the most difficult situations. When you approach life with an open heart and a willingness to understand, you’ll find that gratitude comes naturally.
3. Resilience: Learning to bounce back from setbacks and challenges can help you develop a deep sense of gratitude for the strength and resilience you possess. Instead of dwelling on the negative, focus on the lessons you’ve learned and the ways in which you’ve grown.
4. Generosity: Giving back to others can be a powerful way to cultivate gratitude and thankfulness. Whether it’s volunteering your time, donating to a worthy cause, or simply offering a kind word to someone in need, acts of generosity can help you appreciate the abundance in your life.
5. Perspective: Finally, cultivating a sense of perspective can help you see the bigger picture and appreciate the many blessings in your life. Take a step back from your daily routine and reflect on all the things you have to be grateful for – your health, your loved ones, your home, your job, and so much more. When you approach life with a sense of perspective, you’ll find that gratitude comes naturally.

Meaningful Gratitude Quotes

The following 10 meaningful gratitude quotes to show gratitude:

1. “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero
2. “Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness. It’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul.” – Amy Collette
3. “When we focus on our gratitude, the tide of disappointment goes out and the tide of love rushes in.” – Kristin Armstrong
4. “Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” – Melody Beattie
5. “Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.” – Henry Ward Beecher
6. “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.” – Melody Beattie
7. “Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” – Marcel Proust
8. “Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.” – Zig Ziglar
9. “Gratitude is a currency that we can mint for ourselves, and spend without fear of bankruptcy.” – Fred De Witt Van Amburgh
10. “Gratitude is the memory of the heart; therefore forget not to say often, I have all I ever enjoyed.” – Lydia Child

Heart Touching Words on “Attitude Of Gratitude”

Let’s talk about the attitude of gratitude. Have you ever stopped to think about how much we have to be grateful for in our lives? Sometimes we get so caught up in our daily struggles and stressors that we forget to take a step back and appreciate all the good things that surround us.

• Gratitude is all about acknowledging the blessings we have in our lives and feeling thankful for them. It’s about recognizing the people, experiences, and opportunities that have contributed to our happiness and well-being.
• When we have an attitude of gratitude, we approach life with a positive outlook and a sense of abundance. We focus on what we have, rather than what we lack, and we’re able to find joy and contentment in even the smallest things.
• But the benefits of gratitude go beyond just feeling good. Studies have shown that practicing gratitude can lead to improved mental health, better relationships, and even physical health benefits like lower blood pressure and improved sleep.
• So how can we cultivate an attitude of gratitude in our daily lives? It can be as simple as taking a few minutes each day to reflect on what we’re thankful for, or expressing gratitude to others through kind words or gestures.
• We can also make gratitude a habit by keeping a gratitude journal, where we write down things we’re grateful for each day. This helps us to focus on the positive and reframe our thinking to a more optimistic perspective.

In a world that can often feel chaotic and overwhelming, the attitude of gratitude is a powerful tool for finding peace and happiness. So take a moment to appreciate the good things in your life, and let gratitude guide you towards a more fulfilling and joyful existence.

“Be Grateful in Life” Messages & Sayings

Being grateful is one of the most important attitudes to have in life. It allows us to appreciate the good things we have, and it helps us to stay positive even in difficult times. Here are some messages and sayings that remind us to be grateful in life:

1. “Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” – Anonymous
2. “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.” – Melody Beattie
3. “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all others.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero
4. “When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears.” – Tony Robbins
5. “Gratitude is a powerful catalyst for happiness. It’s the spark that lights a fire of joy in your soul.” – Amy Collette
6. “Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.” – Henry Ward Beecher
7. “Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.” – Zig Ziglar
8. “Gratitude is a currency that we can mint for ourselves, and spend without fear of bankruptcy.” – Fred De Witt Van Amburgh
9. “Gratitude is the memory of the heart.” – Jean Baptiste Massieu
10. “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all others.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero

These messages and sayings remind us to be grateful for what we have in life. When we focus on the good things, we create a positive mindset that helps us to overcome challenges and achieve our goals. So, take a moment to reflect on the things you are grateful for, and let that appreciation guide you toward a happy and fulfilling life.

Practicing Gratitude on Feeling Thankful & Blessed

Feeling thankful and blessed can help us feel more content, happy, and fulfilled.

There are many ways to practice gratitude, such as keeping a gratitude journal, expressing appreciation to others, or simply taking a few moments each day to reflect on the things we are thankful for.

By consciously focusing on the good in our lives, we can begin to see even more positive things to be grateful for. This positive feedback loop can help us build resilience and cope with difficult times.

In addition to improving our own well-being, practicing gratitude can also have positive effects on our relationships and communities. When we express gratitude to others, we strengthen our connections with them and build a sense of mutual appreciation and respect.

This can lead to more supportive and fulfilling relationships, and can even create a ripple effect of positivity in our wider communities. Overall, practicing gratitude is a simple but powerful way to cultivate a more positive and fulfilling life.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, gratitude is a powerful tool that can transform our lives and improve our well-being.  Gratitude is a choice that we can make every day, and it doesn’t require any special circumstances or achievements.

By focusing on the good things in our lives, we can cultivate a positive mindset and attract more positivity into our lives. Gratitude can help us overcome challenges, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve our relationships with others.

Making gratitude a daily practice may not be easy at first, but it is a habit that can be developed over time. By making gratitude a part of our daily routine, we can experience the many benefits it has to offer and live a more fulfilling and joyful life.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Why is gratitude a choice?

Gratitude is a choice because it requires conscious effort to focus on the positive aspects of life rather than dwelling on the negative. By choosing to practice gratitude, we can improve our mental and emotional well-being and cultivate a more positive outlook on life.

Is gratitude an emotion or a choice?

Gratitude can be both an emotion and a choice. It can be a feeling that arises naturally, but it can also be cultivated through intentional practice and a conscious decision to focus on the positive aspects of one’s life. 

Is gratitude a habit?

Yes, gratitude can be developed as a habit with practice and consistency. By intentionally focusing on the good things in our lives and expressing appreciation, we can train our brains to naturally seek out and acknowledge the positive. This can lead to numerous benefits for our mental and emotional well-being.

What is the true meaning of gratitude?

Gratitude is the quality of being thankful and showing appreciation for the good things in your life. It is a powerful emotion that can improve your mental health, relationships, and overall well-being. Practicing gratitude regularly can help you focus on the positive aspects of your life and cultivate a more positive outlook.