Mindful Gratitude: Being Present with What You Have
May 14, 2025
Are you using gratitude as part of your journey to living your Best Life? Using gratitude as one of your tools to uplift your mindset, either as a daily practice, or when you need it?
You may have noticed that some people seem happy no matter what life throws at them. They might not have the perfect job, house, or life, but they still radiate joy. Their secret? Gratitude.
Gratitude is more than just saying ‘thank you.’ It’s about truly appreciating what you have — big and small. Gratitude is free, and you can choose to feel it at any time – and it can completely shift your mindset, boost your happiness, and help you live your Best Life.
I know in the past when I’ve made a conscious decision to stop worrying about things I can’t change, and instead focus on gratitude for what I do have, it makes a tremendous different to my mindset - I felt much more peaceful, and relaxed.
Why Gratitude Matters
Science backs it up — gratitude has real benefits! While gratitude has been known to help with feeing more peaceful and having a more positive mindset for decades, there are now a number of scientific studies supporting the premise that gratitude is good for your well-being. (I've provided some links at the end of this article.)
There are a number of ways gratitude can improve your life, some of which are mentioned below.
- Increases happiness – When you focus on what’s good, you naturally feel better.
- Reduces stress and anxiety – Gratitude shifts your attention away from worries, and onto what’s working in your life.
- Improves relationships – When you appreciate others, connections become stronger. A grateful, positive mindset also makes you a bit easier to be around - and more fun, as you're not worrying, and instead are open to enjoyment more.
- Better sleep – Grateful people tend to sleep better, and wake up feeling more refreshed. It’s so much better to think positive thoughts before sleep, rather than worrying about things that may or may not happen - and can impact your dreams.
- Boosts health – Studies show gratitude can lower blood pressure, and improve heart health.
How Gratitude Helps You Live Your Best Life
Living your Best Life isn’t about being perfect, or having it all together. (If it was about being perfect, we'd all be in trouble! š) Living your Best Life is about feeling fulfilled, joyful, and at peace with who you are, and where you’re heading. Gratitude helps you get there.
I know when I’m walking in nature, I sometimes feel like every single molecule of my body is filled with gratitude – for being alive, the beautiful world around me, and all that I am blessed with. I can get lost in awe and wonder at the beauty of a leaf or a flower, or delight in the magnificent songs of the birds around me. I feel connected to the trees, the birds, and the butterflies - as well as the earth below me. I feel filled with joy, and peace, and gratitude.
When you’re grateful, you notice the good things in your life, even during hard times. And yes, sometimes it is easier than other times. Sometimes you have to start small eg. grateful for a roof over your head, grateful for having food to eat, grateful for your health, family, and/or friends. You can be grateful that you can breathe, and eat. All gratitude counts. And it gets easier with practice. The practice is definitely worth it though, as you feel more content with what you have, instead of always chasing more. This, in turn, helps you feel more balanced and grounded.
Gratitude also opens your heart. It helps you connect with others, enjoy simple moments, and feel more present in your everyday life. All of this adds up to a life that feels more meaningful, loving, and joyful — your Best Life.
How to Bring More Gratitude Into Your Life
The good news is, you don’t need to make big changes all at once. Small, daily habits (such as the ones mentioned below) can help you feel more grateful, and enjoy life more.
- Start a Gratitude Journal – Each day, write down three things you’re grateful for. They don’t have to be big — just something that made you smile. Oprah Winfrey wrote a gratitude journal for a decade, and said it made a big difference in her mindset. Alternatively, you might like to join up with a friend/family member, and each day text three things you’re grateful, like I did for a number of months with one of my friends. It’s a quick way to focus your mind on the good in your life, helps you connect more often, and keep in touch with someone close to you.
- Express Gratitude to Others – Tell someone you appreciate them. A quick text, note, or kind word can go a long way – in making you feel good, them feel good, and strengthening your connection. I do this on a regular basis - sometimes even just sending a quick text.
- Pause and Notice – Take a moment to appreciate the simple things — a warm cup of tea, a sunny day, or a kind gesture. It doesn't have to take a long time - a lingering glance of appreciation at a sunset as you go home, or pausing a few moments to admire a beautiful flower or butterfly - it all counts.
- Reframe Challenges – Even tough times have silver linings. Ask yourself, ‘What can I learn from this?’ I've been able to change my mindset a number of times using this technique. (It even works if you're feeling a bit sorry for yourself - not that any one of us would do that, right??!! š¤£)
- Use Gratitude Affirmations – Try saying, ‘I am grateful for all the good in my life,’ to start your day on a positive note. You could also try the affirmations below – either one a day, or all of them at morning or night – or just focus on one at a time. For a while, a girlfriend and I would send each other text messages each morning, to focus our mind on the positive, rather than always getting sucked into our day without feeling gratitude for all that we do have.
A Simple Gratitude Challenge
Want to give it a try? For the next seven days, write down three things you’re grateful for each night before bed. By the end of the week, you’ll start to see just how much goodness is already in your life! You could even exchange daily gratitude with a friend or family member, like I did. We just sent each other text message listing our 3 gratitude items for the day - it didn't take long, and as an added bonus, we had an idea of what their days were like, and it helped us keep in touch, strengthening the relationship.
Walking into Wellness with Gratitude Guide
We have a more comprehensive Walking into Wellness Gratitude Guide, with practical information (including implementation tips), gratitude questions to reflect on, journaling prompts and pages, various goal setting options, gratitude affirmations to help you throughout the day, plus more.
Ready to Take Your Positive Mindset Further?
If you’re looking for more ways to shift your mindset, and bring more joy into your life, check out our Positive Mindset Mastery to Live Your Best Life bundle. It’s packed with tools to help you think positively, build confidence, and create a life you love.
Start your gratitude journey today — it’s one of the easiest (and most powerful) ways to change your life! š
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Gratitude
- What is gratitude, really?
Gratitude means noticing and appreciating the good things in your life. It can be as simple as enjoying a warm drink, or saying thank you to someone who helped you. - Do I have to journal every day?
Nope! Even just a few times a week can make a big difference. Start with what feels easy, and build from there. - Can gratitude really change my life?
Yes! It can improve your mood, relationships, sleep, and even your health. It's a small habit with big results. - What if I don’t feel grateful right now?
That’s okay. Start small. Even if today was hard, look for one tiny thing that went okay (or be grateful that you have shelter and food and a warm bed at night). With practice, it gets easier. - How long does it take to feel the benefits?
Some people feel better after just a few days. For others, it might take a few weeks. The key is consistency and practice. - Is gratitude just pretending to be happy?
Not at all. Gratitude doesn’t ignore tough times — it helps you find hope and strength during them. - How can I help my kids or partner be more grateful?
Lead by example! Talk about what you’re thankful for, and invite them to share too. Make it fun and light.
Additional Resources
We have created stand-alone pages in the 7 life segments with all blogs, freebies, and paid products grouped together, so you can easily find and review items of interest to you. Click on the links below to find the areas of most interest to you! Life Purpose & Best Life - Health & Wellness - Relationships - Abundance - Personal Growth - Peace of Mind - Spirituality & Energy.
References/Further Reading
https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/health-benefits-gratitude
https://positivepsychology.com/benefits-of-gratitude/
https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/wellbeing/gratitude
https://positivepsychology.com/gratitude-appreciation/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10393216/
https://www.oprah.com/spirit/oprahs-gratitude-journal-oprah-on-gratitude
Disclaimer
The content on this website is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical, mental health, or legal advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor, therapist, or other qualified professional with any questions you may have about your health, wellbeing, or personal situation. Your Best Life Academy shares ideas, practices, and tools that have helped others, but every person is different. Please use your own judgment and do what feels right for you.
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