One of the grief struggles you may find yourself in is expressing gratitude, especially during the Thanksgiving gratitude season. After all, what is there to be thankful for? This journey sometimes sucks, and it is difficult to find the blessings among all the thorns you have recently been handed.
It is normal to feel this way, and it’s OK. Depending on where you are on your journey, gratitude can be more challenging to find or even consider. We acknowledge this is a challenging time of grief. It is natural to feel overwhelmed and not particularly grateful. It is also perfectly OK and normal.
Even so, finding gratitude can be beneficial to you. Science has shown that the more gratitude you express/feel, the better you tend to feel. So, it is in your best interest, even if you struggle to do so.
Here are some benefits to finding gratitude even in the difficult moments of life:
- Expressing gratitude can help you sleep better
- Increase your overall well-being
- Increase resilience
- Reduce stress & depression – who couldn’t use that while grieving?
- Strengthen your immune system
- Grow your positivity
- Improve your relationships and community
Flippity do! Science says I should be more grateful. REALLY? Do you really want me to be grateful now? Do you know what happened?
Yes, we do sympathize. We know all too well about grief and loss of a spouse. We know that it is difficult. We have been there. We also know that finding gratitude helped us in our journey. Our own twisted journeys have shown us that the more we try to be thankful, the better things become. We hope that you find little things to be grateful for or find ways to smile during this time of giving thanks.
We found that finding blessings amidst the clouds in our lives helped to dissipate the darkness. It does not have to be big. Start with the little things. Look for things that bring you joy. Do you have food on the table? A hot cup of coffee or tea in the morning (or an iced coffee if you’re like Jeni) can be a blessing. A visit from a friend (or a day when “that” friend doesn’t stop by). A smile sent your
way—a moment to reflect in peace and enjoy a special moment.
Just start with the little things. The moments will grow once you begin to see the little things. Below, we offer just a few ways to begin looking for the blessings in life.
Simple tips for gratitude
- Look for the blessings, small joys, and things that make your day brighter
- Take a moment each day to think about and even talk about your gratitude.
- Be mindful of social media – What are you ingesting? Are you the light or the dark?
- Being grateful for people in your life and saying thank you – the store check-out clerk, the delivery person, the postal carrier, friends, family, etc.
- Look for ways to be grateful in the darkest and most anxious times of life – it will brighten the experience.
- Keep a gratitude journal or jar – write daily what you are grateful for.
- Text or email those who’ve been a blessing to you during your grief journey.
- Write a letter(s) to people whom you are grateful for.
We send our heartfelt hope and prayers that you find a moment to find a few blessings in life and ways that you can smile…even if just for a brief moment. May those moments grow so that you can once again truly enjoy the wonderful person that you are and the life that you are living now.
We are grateful for you, our followers and readers. Thank you for your continued support.
A pre-announcement for our readers and followers – We’re publishing A Widow’s First Journal to accompany you along the grief journey in December. Stay tuned for more details. We’re grateful to be able to offer this.
With gratitude, peace & blessings,
Jeni & Teresa
PS: For additional support, you can download our free copy of 10 Ways to Move Forward After Loss
The First Days: Coping with Life After Loss is a resource for the first days after a loss – available on Amazon in paperback and ebook.
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