We’re surrounded by innovation. We can order anything from anywhere, contact anyone at any time, and access every fact in an instant. These innovations have turned into expectations and a source of our discontent.
Rather than appreciate these innovations, we want more. We want everything to be bigger, better, and faster than before. These desires can drive improvements, but they can also make us miserable if we never understand what is enough.
Gratitude not only helps us realize what is enough, but it helps us become more appreciative of life itself. We all know that we should be grateful, say thank you, and appreciate what we have, but how can we bring some novelty to this timeless practice?
Imagine life without things or people you care about.
I recently had a dream where I was upset when my prescription glasses and sunglasses broke on the same day. When I woke up, I was happy that both sets of glasses were perfectly intact. Without this dream, I wouldn’t have given any thought or gratitude to either pair of glasses. Joini Mitchel said it well in Big Yellow Taxi when she sang, “You don’t know what you got ’til it’s gone.” We can get ahead of the curve by imagining as if it were gone, and being grateful while we still have it.
Think about the lifecycle of an item.
It’s easy to look at an apple like a household fruit or snack. Yet that apple was once a single seed that had to be planted, watered, and cared for. Then the apple was picked, washed, sorted, delivered, and stored at a grocery store. Think about all the people and tools involved in the process. We can extend this even further by thinking about what it took to make all the technology and modern machinery that are involved in the apple’s lifecycle. The list goes on and on, but it helps us realize the complexities involved that we normally take for granted. When we understand what’s involved, we can deepen our appreciation for seemingly simple things.
Be specific when thanking people.
We’ve all heard about thanking a janitor and treating them with respect, but what are we thanking them for? Cleaning the bathrooms, sinks, floors, furniture? Get specific when thanking someone. When we recognize one’s specific contributions, they feel seen and appreciated.
Gratitude is one of my favorite practices. It helps us become happier, less stressed, and more appreciative of life itself. If you’re looking for a way to freshen up your gratitude rituals, or bring more gratitude into your daily life, try one of these practices. You’ll be grateful that you did.
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