Embracing Thanksliving: A Journey of Gratitude for Single Mothers
Updated: 4 days ago
Living a life of gratitude, or "Thanksliving," is one of the most powerful things you can do for yourself and your kids. Gratitude is deeply connected to wisdom and true success.
What is Gratitude?
Gratitude means being thankful. It’s about counting your blessings, noticing the beauty around you, and acknowledging everything you receive. Living a life of gratitude shifts your focus from what you lack to what you have. To be grateful doesn’t mean everything in your life is perfect. It simply means you recognize and appreciate the blessings you have. Practicing gratitude is a transformative way of life.
Our gratefulness ultimately points to God, but it overflows to everyone around us. Like water breaking over a dam, gratitude floods out and soaks through to our families and anyone else in our path.
The Spiritual Connection
The Bible is full of praise and worship to God. Many verses encourage us to be thankful, regardless of our circumstances. God promises us peace and joy when we live a life of prayer and thankfulness. On the flip side, thanklessness is a form of pride and is "anti-truth." Ungratefulness can hinder our deep relationship with God.
I love it when science confirms God's truth. Research shows that gratitude makes us healthier and happier. Gratitude improves:
Physical Health: Grateful people tend to be physically healthier. They take better care of themselves, exercise more, and often live longer. Those who practice gratitude before bed sleep better and longer.
Psychological Health and Mental Strength: Being grateful is linked to higher self-esteem and self-respect. Grateful individuals are happier and experience significantly less depression and stress. They are more alert, enthusiastic, creative, determined, energetic, and optimistic than those who are not grateful. They also tend to be more emotionally resilient and able to endure tough circumstances.
Relationships: Showing appreciation helps deepen relationships. Acknowledging others, writing thank you notes, and expressing gratitude makes people more receptive to friendship. Gratefulness fosters sensitivity and empathy towards others' needs while reducing aggression and violence.
How Do You Begin?
There are many strategies to become a more grateful person. Start by simply asking God to help you be more mindful and thankful.
Start small and be mindful: Notice and appreciate each day's gifts. We often take what we have for granted like sight, food, clothing, and relationships. Imagine losing those things and think about how you would feel to get them back.
Understand gratitude as a choice: Gratefulness and thankfulness are choices we make. In every situation, we have a choice in our response.
Use gratitude to gain perspective: Reframe tough situations as learning experiences. Ask yourself, "What is good about this situation?" and "What can I learn or benefit from it?"
Fast from negativity: Take a break from gossip, criticism, and complaining. Instead, choose to focus on the good aspects of a person or situation. When negative thoughts arise, replace them with grateful ones.
Keep a gratitude journal: Each day, write down three to ten things you are grateful for. This practice can help shift your mindset.
Acknowledge others: Make it a habit to thank and acknowledge those around you. A simple "thank you" can go a long way.
Once you begin to live a life of Thanksliving, you start to appreciate simple pleasures and things you've taken for granted. It helps you see the good in tough circumstances and teaches your kids to maintain a positive, affirming attitude.
Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. – 1 Thessalonians 5:16–8
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