The Importance of Gratitude in Manifesting

Gratitude is so important for your journey. It will make positive thinking possible, and your manifestation more accessible. 

Gratitude is the act of being thankful and appreciative of the good things in life. It is a positive emotion that can have a profound impact on our well-being and relationships. Research has shown that practicing gratitude can lead to increased happiness, improved mental and physical health, and stronger social connections. Here are some reasons why gratitude is important:

Gratitude increases happiness: Studies have found that people who practice gratitude are generally happier and more satisfied with their lives. This may be because gratitude helps us focus on the positive aspects of our lives, rather than dwelling on negative experiences.

Gratitude improves mental and physical health: Gratitude has been linked to a range of mental and physical health benefits. It can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and has been shown to improve sleep, lower blood pressure, and boost the immune system.

Gratitude strengthens social connections: Gratitude can help us feel more connected to others, which is important for our social well-being. When we express gratitude towards others, it can strengthen our relationships and create a sense of community.

Gratitude promotes personal growth: Practicing gratitude can help us develop a positive outlook and encourage personal growth. By focusing on the things we are grateful for, we can learn to see the good in challenging situations and find ways to overcome adversity.

So how can you become more grateful? There are many different ways of course, but here are 10 that have worked well for me. 

Keep a gratitude journal: Write down things you are grateful for every day. This can help you focus on the positive aspects of your life and recognize the good things that happen each day. I would recommend starting out by writing 10-20 things per day. This will really make you think and have to look for good things. Over time as you get used to it you can go down to three things a day. However, you might be surprised that you start finding much more than just 20 things over time.

2. Express gratitude to others: Take the time to thank people who have helped or supported you. This could be a colleague, a friend, or a family member. Make it a natural part of your day. When someone holds the door for you say thanks. When your friend sends you a text thank them for thinking of you. When your dog happily greets you at the door thank her for loving you. Over time it will become so natural for you.

3. Practice mindfulness: Being mindful and present at the moment can help you appreciate the things you have. Try setting aside time each day to focus on your surroundings and the things you are grateful for. We will go over this in more detail in chapter 8.

4. Volunteer: Helping others can bring a sense of fulfillment and gratitude. Find a cause you are passionate about and volunteer your time or resources. It is absolutely necessary to give back. And the more you do it, the more grateful you will be. 

5. Write thank-you notes: Show your appreciation for others by writing a thoughtful thank-you note. This can be a small but powerful way to express gratitude. And don’t limit it to just family or people close to you. Giving a note to a coworker you barely know can affect them profoundly. That positivity will come back to you.

6. Reflect on your blessings: Take time to reflect on the things you have and the experiences you have had. This can help you appreciate what you have and cultivate gratitude. It can be helpful to write these things down. Similar to your gratitude journal, but that is reserved for daily things. Instead, write down in detail things you are grateful for from your childhood, school years, youth, college, first job, first friend, etc, etc.

7. Practice random acts of kindness: Performing small acts of kindness for others can help you feel more connected and grateful for your own blessings. If you are looking for small ways to help every day, you will find them. And nothing will boost your mood more quickly. 

8. Find the silver lining: When faced with challenges or setbacks, try to find the positive aspects of the situation. This can help you cultivate gratitude and a more positive outlook. It can be difficult in many situations, but you can always find something small to be grateful for. 

9. Appreciate the small things: Take the time to appreciate the small things in life, such as a beautiful sunset or a delicious meal. These can be added to your gratitude journal, or be a whole other section. You can dwell on these small beauties, or perhaps take a picture to remember, or if you are artistically inclined draw, paint, or sketch them. Whatever works best for you. The point is to look for small and simple beauty in the world around you. 

10. Take time to appreciate the people in your life: Spend time with the people you care about and appreciate the positive impact they have on your life. Tell them how much they mean to you. And show them by doing kind things, or creating a new memory. Ask your mom out to brunch, your treat. Take your best friend on a spa date. Create a romantic evening with your partner. Whatever it may be, take time to be present with the people that matter and tell them how grateful you are for them. 

I would recommend trying one or two of these things at first so you don’t feel overwhelmed. But the goal should be to incorporate them all into your life. Try to make them as natural to you as possible. And remember to have as positive an attitude about it as you can.

Over time you will become intensely grateful for life. You will start to feel like the luckiest person in the world. And you just might become the luckiest person too.