Most of us do not realize just how many things we have to be thankful for. We live our days looking at what others have and do. If we are not careful, negativity seeps into our lives. Concentrating on finding the things that truly make us happy can impact our personality and prevent relationship problems.

In this article, we will start by examining what gratitude is. We will look why it is important to have a grateful spirit. Finally, we will share some ways to express gratitude and give you a list of things one can be grateful for.

What Is Gratitude?

What Is Gratitude?

Gratitude is the act of focusing on the good and positive things in life. It is more than simple thankfulness. Thankfulness is spontaneous; gratitude is more lasting. A grateful person actively concentrates on thinking about important moments, events, and people in their life.

The Importance of Gratitude

The Importance of Gratitude

You may not realize what an important role gratitude plays in your life. There are many benefits derived from gratitude. Some of them are fairly obvious, while others might surprise you. You may think of other benefits specific to you and your life as you read the following.

  • Gratitude Helps Friendships. People respond positively when we express gratitude. Thus, we improve our existing friendships and draw new people to us.
  • Gratitude Improves Work Relationships. Those who report to you will appreciate an expression of gratitude for a job well done. Your manager will respond positively when you show appreciation for their leadership. Your attitude of gratitude can help you achieve success in your career with better decision making and an increase in your productivity.
  • Gratitude Helps Marriage and Family Life. You can build positive family relationships by appreciating the tasks completed on a daily basis. Complimenting a meal, a child’s good grade, or spontaneous completion of a daily chore helps to create a positive climate of appreciation.
  • Gratitude Helps One Emotionally. Concentrating on the good things in life creates a joyful spirit. We feel less envy for what others have. Gratitude helps us relax and enjoy the little things in life.
  • Gratitude Helps One Physically. Tension and stress have been shown to negatively affect our health. When we have a thankful attitude, we can enjoy each day. We have more energy and a desire to live a healthy lifestyle. Gratitude can also increase sleep quality and lower blood pressure.

Ways to Express Gratitude

Ways to Express Gratitude

Just feeling grateful helps you, but expressing your gratitude to others solidifies your appreciation. Our list moves from the simplicity of a verbal thanks to creating a truly memorable expression of gratitude.

Say “Thank you!”

Taking a moment to say sincere “Thank you!” encourages both the person you are thanking and you. Say it with a smile. It is also a good idea to mention what you are thankful for. For example, “Thank you for taking me to work this morning! My day always begins well when I can spend some time with you.”

Text, Email, Call, or Post on Social Media

A quick phone call or short text only takes a moment, but can leave a lasting memory. A written thank you is always appreciated and we are fortunate enough to have many forms of media to utilize, such as email. Sharing a public thank you on social media adds to the impact of your expression of gratitude.

Pay Attention to Others

When we really listen to others, we show that we respect and appreciate them. Sometimes we show our gratitude by simply paying attention to someone. Additionally, we pick up clues about needs in their lives we may be able to meet or help with.

Meet a Need

Providing something special for someone shows our gratitude. Sometimes it is simply giving someone the time to take a break and relax. Cooking two of a main course provides a chance to share with a friend and make their evening a bit less hectic. As we use our attitude of gratitude, we begin to see many ways to help those we care about.

Gratitude List Ideas

Gratitude List Ideas

Gratitude can be learned. It begins with an acknowledgement of the need to have a thankful spirit. Then you can create a list of things for which you are thankful.

As you read through our gratitude list, you may find some things you cannot be thankful for. Don’t hesitate to make changes in your life. For example, if you can’t be grateful for “having a great job you love,” it might be time to change your career.

The following list will give start you on the road to true gratitude

  • Having a best friend who is always there for you
  • Having a spouse or partner that is loyal and loves you
  • A beautiful sunrise or sunset
  • A child’s face when they get a present or a pleasant surprise
  • Remembering a favorite person or place
  • A clutter-free home
  • Having a porch, deck, or patio
  • Having a picnic or barbeque
  • Underwear
  • A hot cup of coffee or tea
  • A massage
  • Holidays when you do not have to work and can spend time with people you love
  • A really comfortable chair
  • A reliable car
  • Feeling inspired by an author or artist
  • Central heating and air conditioning
  • Chocolate
  • Aquariums and terrariums (having living things in your home)
  • Taking a long bath or hot shower
  • Having a place to call home
  • Cell phones
  • Being forgiven for a mistake
  • A compliment from a stranger
  • Things you are looking forward to
  • Oceans, lakes, and waterfalls
  • T-shirts with clever sayings or logos
  • Doctors and nurses
  • Delivery people
  • Firefighters, EMTs, and police
  • Having your own room or space
  • Windows and glass doors that let us see outside
  • Playing card or board games with family or friends
  • Giving or receiving good news
  • Having someone you love tell you, “I love you!”
  • Watching or holding a newborn baby
  • Home cooked meals
  • Eating out
  • Hot cocoa on a cold day
  • Ice cream on a hot day
  • Hugs and kisses
  • Making it to the end of the day (or week)
  • Feeling safe
  • A complement or kindness from a stranger
  • Kittens and puppies (any baby animal)
  • Making a budget and sticking to it
  • Being organized
  • Freedom of religion
  • Freedom of speech
  • Warm, fuzzy socks
  • Getting a full night’s sleep
  • Memories of people you loved or love now
  • A road trip
  • Prayer and meditation
  • Snacks
  • Roller coasters
  • A trip to an amusement park or zoo
  • Having dinner time with your family
  • The beauty of new-fallen snow
  • The beauty and innocence of children – yours or someone else’s
  • Your pet that loves you and provides companionship
  • Eating at your favorite restaurant
  • A favorite vacation destination
  • Your parents
  • Sweet, juicy fruit
  • A choir or chorus
  • Clean, fresh-smelling sheets
  • Having a great roommate
  • Being disciplined
  • Having self-control
  • Wearing comfortable shoes
  • Time to do absolutely nothing
  • Watching your favorite childhood movie with your child or grandchild
  • Weekends
  • Laughing uncontrollably
  • Listening to your favorite song
  • Sleeping in late on Saturday morning (on any morning)
  • The convenience of shopping online
  • Gym memberships and yoga studios
  • Surprises
  • Learning something new and interesting
  • Sending and receiving thank you notes
  • Overcoming anxiety and/or fears
  • Your family history and genetics
  • Christmas trees and lights
  • Being alive another day
  • Pens, pencils, and highlighters
  • Participating in a hobby you enjoy
  • Seasonings – spices and herbs
  • Payday
  • A raise or promotion
  • Having a job you love
  • Alone time
  • Making the final payment for your house or car
  • A pedicure or a manicure
  • Happy hour
  • Having someone take care of you when you are sick
  • Meditating or praying
  • Eating your favorite dessert
  • Meeting your friends for lunch
  • Finding unexpected money in your coat pocket or purse
  • Having great dreams at night
  • Getting only green lights while you are driving
  • Stop signs and traffic lights
  • Bug spray
  • Riding in or driving a convertible
  • Feeding and watching birds
  • Falling in love
  • Looking for shells at the beach
  • Reading a great book from start to finish in one sitting
  • The sound of a train at night
  • Kite flying
  • Finishing a task
  • A good thunder storm
  • Eating s’mores around the campfire and singing songs
  • Seeing your favorite sports team win a game
  • Museums and art galleries
  • Spending the day shopping
  • Growing spiritually
  • The smell of new-mown grass
  • Doing something adventuresome like cliff diving or bungee-jumping
  • Comfortable clothes
  • Having enough healthy food to eat
  • Completing a special project
  • Taking time to do a craft you love
  • Saving money through thrift shopping or couponing
  • Being accepted by others
  • Having money in the bank to cover your bills and provide for some of the things you want
  • Funny television shows or comedians
  • Giving or receiving a homemade gift
  • The smell and taste of freshly baked bread or cookies
  • Dancing
  • Singing
  • A comfortable chair, couch, or bed
  • Being spontaneous
  • Fireworks
  • Having a job with meaning and purpose
  • Good co-workers
  • A boss you can respect and that is fair
  • Feeling hopeful
  • Binge watching a movie series or TV show
  • The beauty of the changing seasons – leaves in the fall, flowers in the spring, etc.
  • Taking a family vacation
  • Surviving a bad accident
  • A reliable car
  • Flea markets and estate sales
  • Stopping a bad habit (smoking, too much internet time, etc.) or starting a new one
  • Seeing your favorite entertainer live
  • Sharing smiles with a stranger
  • Stopping at scenic overlooks and historical markers
  • The charm of a small town
  • The excitement of a big city
  • Sledding and skiing
  • Scuba diving or snorkeling
  • Speaking more than one language
  • Word processing programs (especially with spellchecker and grammar check)
  • Working from home
  • The beauty of the universe and the nighttime sky
  • Spending the night in a fancy hotel
  • Feeling confident
  • Visiting a foreign city or country
  • Forgiving others or being forgiven
  • Having medication you need
  • Feeling that you look really good
  • Hot, buttery popcorn — especially in a movie theater
  • Grandparents, aunts, and uncles
  • Ice or roller skating
  • Honesty
  • Horseback riding
  • Satisfying sex
  • Mistakes you learned from
  • The ability to speak, see, taste, and hear
  • Hayrides
  • Gloves, stocking caps, and scarves on a cold day
  • Seat belts and helmets for protection
  • Tools to build things
  • Healthy and happy children
  • Conveniences that make our lives easier (indoor plumbing, dishwashers, microwaves, etc.)
  • Free stuff
  • Lullabies at bedtime
  • Graduations
  • Making the right choice
  • Thinking about happy times when you were a child
  • Old photographs of family and friends
  • Pizza
  • Waking up next to someone you love
  • Walking in the forest
  • Not having to do a task we dislike
  • Clothes washers and dryers
  • Quiet time
  • Unique family traditions
  • Not being in debt
  • Poetry
  • Watching exciting sports (the Olympics or a Bowl game)
  • Holding hands
  • Swimming with dolphins
  • Feeling relaxed
  • Toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.)
  • Taking a morning or evening walk
  • Drive-throughs and takeout
  • Giving or receiving a gift
  • Table ware and dishes
  • Teachers who cared enough to spend extra time helping and teaching us
  • Sincere appreciation from others
  • Toilet paper, paper towels, and paper plates
  • Trying and enjoying something new
  • Visiting places we have always dreamed of
  • Volunteering
  • When you give or receive a random act of kindness
  • Fancy possessions we do not need
  • Reconnecting with a long-lost friend or relative
  • Following a morning routine that provides energy for your day
  • Completing your “to do” list
  • People who inspire us
  • Weddings
  • A nap
  • A clean, tidy home
  • A good memory
  • Having strong bones and good teeth
  • Having no problems with our major organs
  • Feeling peaceful
  • Playing an instrument
  • Health and other insurance
  • The ability to donate money
  • Maintaining mobility as we grow older
  • Clean air and water
  • Indoor bathrooms
  • Hugs and kisses
  • An inspiring speech
  • Date night (with no kids!)
  • Making someone else laugh
  • A good credit score
  • Those who work in service professions
  • The convenience of Wi-Fi
  • People who serve in the military
  • Scented candles
  • Having enough time to do the things we need and want to do
  • Feeling we have made progress
  • An “aha” moment
  • Being optimistic about the future
  • Making wise choices
  • A talent for something
  • Deep conversations
  • Overcoming a challenge
  • Perfume, cologne, and aftershave
  • Cozy slippers
  • Feeling productive
  • Monday – the beginning of a new week
  • Wednesday – when the week is half over
  • Friday – the last day of the work week for most of us
  • Books, newspapers, and magazines
  • Sharing on social media
  • A good cry
  • A difficult accomplishment
  • Getting therapy if we need it
  • Getting adequate healthy exercise
  • Concern for animals, the environment, and human rights

Sow gratitude, cultivate a thankful heart, and you will reap benefits far beyond your expectations!