Nugget #3: Why You Want To Be Grateful

Though a delightful (and delicious!) celebration, Thanksgiving only happens once a year, which is maybe best for our waistlines. This being said, the benefits of giving thanks regularly make gratitude a real nugget.

I know. Expressing gratitude can feel very awkward at first. What should we be grateful for? Do I put my hands up and shout "thank you"? Is there a list somewhere? How is that making my life better?

My point here is not to copy paste studies and best practices (these are blooming on the Internet). The point here is simply to share personal examples so the concept is meaningful to you.

You know that fuzzy feeling when the bus arrives RIGHT when you reach the stop? AND THE BUS HAS A SEAT FOR YOU? Or when you walk home from work for the first time after battling bronchitis and you could not even walk to your fridge a couple days ago? That's what I am talking about!

Capture the feeling. You can jot these moments down in a journal, or on little notes you put in a jar. At the end of the day, month or year (really, it's up to you), take out a few and read them. Not only are these notes proof that life can be soooooooo good, they also bring a smile to your face as you relive the moment.

The beauty of feeling grateful is that it goes hand in hand with mindfulness. When you are "in the moment", basking in the glory of having thought about taking an umbrella with you even though it did not look like it'd rain (but it did), that's the best moment to flash out your gratitude net and capture that little fleeting butterfly. With practice, you will become a pro and will be able to enjoy the benefits of gratitude twice: once when the nugget lands in your net, and once when you read your notes.

Focusing on the positive will shift your mindset and give you a new perspective on life events. While some might still be challenging, you will find the silver lining and keep your head up.

To sum up, gratitude is like my mom's cookies: better when enjoyed fresh out of the oven, yet still delicious and heart-warming if eaten later.

What about you? What are you grateful for?