Marissa Explains It All
The Key To A Happy Life: Eight Ways To Practice Gratitude
by Marissa A. Ross
I have found there are two keys to life: Gratitude and a Thesaurus. You can pick up a Thesaurus just about anywhere, or look it up online, but gratitude is a little bit harder to come by for some of us. It’s easy to forget– or sometimes, not even see– how fortunate we are to have all that we do in our lives.
Being consciously grateful is essential to a happy life. It keeps you positive and optimistic, which are two of the most important things you can be. Never forget that you get what you give, and being a positive person will bring more positive people, events and opportunities into your life. By being grateful for those things, you are basically tipping your hat to the universe who in turn will be like, “Wow, this girl really appreciates the goodness in her life, I’m going to send her some more!”
Or, something like that.
The universe has never actually spoken in words to me.
So, it may speak a little more professionally for all I know.
The point is, I truly believe this. I truly believe that being grateful opens you to more opportunities to be grateful for. This has proven true in my personal life, and these are the steps I took to get into the mindset I am in today.
Be Thankful
Look around you. No matter who you are, there is something to be thankful for. A roof over your head, the food in your fridge, your family and friends. Each of these things are truly a gift. Every day that you are in good health, every day that you get to go to work, every day you get to drink clean water. When you begin to recognize the goodness in your life, and make a conscious effort to be grateful for those things, you will see that every day there is more and more to be thankful for.
If you honestly think there is nothing to be thankful for in your life, you’re not trying hard enough. At the very least, you should be thankful you are fortunate enough to have access to a computer with internet to be reading this.
Turn Negatives Into Positives
Being grateful makes it really easy to turn negatives into positives. This is a great practice to get into, and that’s what it is, a practice. Many of us aren’t taught to be actively grateful, so you have to make an effort. Next time you feel like complaining about your job, but be grateful you have a job. When you’re pissed off your mom is coming down hard about your grades, but be grateful you have a parent who cares. Your attitude and your world view is shaped by how you think. If you can change the way you think, you can change your world.
Appreciate Challenges
A person is not defined by what happens to them in their life. A person is defined by how they deal with what happens in their life. We all have hardships to overcome, and with each hardship, you have a choice. You can either choose to let it break you, or choose to let it make you. I’m not saying not to grieve when bad things happen, or that you have to be happy all the time, but what I am saying is that you have to use the challenges in your life to make yourself a better person. With every suffering you endure, there is something to learn. We must be grateful for those opportunities, because that is how you grow and become a stronger person.
Love Everyone
Don’t confuse this with having to “like” everyone. There is no way you’re going to like everyone, just like there is no way everyone is going to like you. But you can love every person that comes into your life, because each of them can teach you something about yourself and the world. Be aware of yourself, your relationships and how they make you feel. The people who bother you most, usually have the most to teach you. Love your scatterbrained lab partner because he is teaching you to be more patient. Love the rude girl at the party because you know her evil glares stem from her own insecurity. Love your jerky co-worker because they are giving you the opportunity to practice standing up for yourself and voicing your opinions.
Treasure Moments– No Matter How Big Or Small
I just chased my dog all over the house, and after he got tired, he rolled over on his back with the biggest smile on his tiny face. It’s these simple things, like making my loved one’s life more enjoyable, that makes my life more enjoyable. Relish in the moments you spend with friends, laughing at a dinner party. Thank God for your parents’ craziness during the holidays because it is in part what has made you what you are. Run around outside because you love the sunshine. Each moment you take the time to be present in will help you garner a deeper appreciation for life.
Ideas For Daily Exercises In Gratitude
Sometimes just telling yourself to think a new way can be hard, so here are some ideas to help make thinking gratefully easier.
• Keep a gratitude journal
Every night, write down ten things you are thankful for that day and how they affect your life. Even if it’s just the budding roses outside your window, that’s something to be thankful for. They are giving you a prettier view, aren’t they?
• Learn a prayer for gratitude
Here is a good one I found at Zen Habits:
Be Thankful
Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don’t know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you’re tired and weary
Because it means you’ve made a difference.
It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.
GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles
and they can become your blessings.
- Author Unknown
• Meditate
My favorite meditation is one by Dr. Wayne Dyer. I’ve definitely mentioned it before, but his guided Meditations For Manifesting includes an awesome evening meditation for being grateful.
I hope these tips help you guys, I am truly grateful for the opportunity to share these with you. I will take this time to say, I am grateful for every post I am able to share on HG, and for every one of you who reads them. This site has enriched my writing career and life, and every day I am thankful for it.
Now to get you started, leave me a comment and tell me about what you are thankful for today. 
See more posts from Marissa A.
07.13.2011 |
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I’m thankful for your awesomeness. But seriously (besides that) I’m thankful for my girlfriends, they teach me constantly how to be a better person. I really like the “love everyone” part of this because I don’t think people understand that not liking someone doesn’t mean you have to hate them. I really like this and will be using that prayer mantra tonight. Thanks giiiirrrrl!
Thank you darling, I’m glad you appreciate it! And I’m stoked you’re going to use that prayer– it’s a keeper!
This is so beautiful, it made me cry over my keyboard like five times over the course of reading. What a great mid-morning read, thanks a billion for the pick-me-up!
Aw, I’m glad it touched you! <3
today i am grateful for herbal tea, friendly neighbors, sudafed, my amazing boyfriend, my thoughtful boss, my super cool friends, air conditioning, the prospect of the oncoming weekend, my recent pay raise, and the case of wine my brother let us take home from his wedding last weekend
today i’m thankful that i checked hellogiggles for my daily does of giggles, and spotted this article.
thnx for writing it, and for sharing it your thoughts w/ the rest of us! 
I am thankful that I found this website and that I saw this article. I am thankful for those patient people in my life that put up with me and love me no matter what. I am thankful that I am living and that I am alive.
I love the look on that little Dog’s face.
AHAHA I know dude, he was really actually very upset at me because I made him go swimming right before this photo was taken. As a good mother, I needed to teach him how not to drown, ya know?
I’m thankful for my weird family, for my pets, and for being loved no matter what I do or look like – I wish everyone the same happiness, if not more! (Great article BTW)
Marissa, you’re turning into my new positive thinking guru. You. Are. Great.
Thank you! Glad I’m helping out, hehe.
Thankful for my COFFEE!
GIRL, RIGHT THERE WITH YOU!
This is exactly what I needed to hear today! I am very greatful I found this website this morning. And even more greatful that I came back this afternoon to read your article!
Awesome. I kind of live by this, with the add on of finding something to compliment the people around me about, everyday. Life philosophy by Pollyanna – have a GLAD day!
this is awesome. It made me think of my mom and then made me cry little tiny tears of happiness.
I love this! I love positive people : ) I am thankful for my Babies, Boyfriend, job, shoes & wine times.
Ahaha, I am also thankful for Wine Times.
Well done!!! This is just lovely.
I, too, am thankful for this article, and for the perspective it brings! <3 I am thankful for this website and for all the lovely things to read here. xo
LOVE this!
I am thankful for all the wonderful people who fill my life everyday, from my sisters, daughter and family, to the ex-boyfriend that reminds why we are exes!
I am thankful for a mom who always makes home cooked meals and always made sure we were happy no matter what was going on in our lives at the moment, for giving me and my sisters a sense of humor and an imagination, who made us appreciate everything we had and care for others. I am thankful for my boyfriend for always keeping my head up on those days I just want to hide under the covers and not go on and for appreciating my weirdness haha.
I am thankful for having two wonderful smart, beautiful, silly sisters who I look up to each and every day.
Thanks for the reminder to keep being grateful for all things big and small in life. This definitely put a smile on my face
I am thankful for this article because I can always use a good reminder that being thankful is helpful =] I am also thankful for the nearness of HP 7.2, Jeopardy the sunshine and all the lovely people in my life.
Today I am grateful for my mom who lets me try out my wacky recipes on her every week and does it with a smile. These posts are affirmations that I am living life in the best possible way, keep them coming!
Oh gosh, and so grateful for the ice-cold water fountain at the hot, hot gym this morning
perfect timing to post this article, i was about to be a raging b*tch because i feel like “life is tough right now” but really, life isn’t, its just what i make it and honestly, life has been pretty damn good, i just got too comfy to forget that life DOES have its ups and downs, this is just a tiny bump in my road of life
I feel you, but believe you me, you’ll get through it just fine, especially with the attitude you’re exemplifying in your comment.
I am thankful for having read this! and for ranch dressing and for the USWNT moving on to the World Cup Final!
“Tell me you don’t matter to a universe that transpired to give you such a tongue, such rhythm or rhythm-less hips, such opposable thumbs -give thanks or go home a waste of spark. speak or let the maker take back your throat. march or let the creator rescind your feet. dream or let your god destroy your good and fertile mind. this is your warning, this is your birthright, Do not let this universe regret you.” Excerpt from Instructions for a Body by Marty McConnell
Marissa – You are such an inspiration to me! Your past few posts had me in happy tears thinking about my life and how I can improve it and work on happiness, appreciation, and most important – follow my heart! Today, I thank you for the lesson in gratitude . “If you can change the way you think, you can change your world.” I was really sad when Oprah said farewell, but I think you are my new daily/weekly dose of positive thinking!! OH YA – and WINE!
PS – you are RIGHT ON about a thesaurus. : )
Aw thank you! That is serious, being your Oprah replacement! But I take this title with great pride and honor and look forward to further serving you, lovely. xo
To this day I’m still grateful for the talk we had at Molly’s party. It really made a difference in my freelance business and how I create contracts with my clients. It brought a lot more business my way. Thank you for that.
I am really grateful for this post! I really needed this! I love the gratitude journal Idea too. Starting mine today XD
Ross, your posts seem to always put me in check! Which is annoying (ugh, I hate being wrong) but soooo necessary. I have a bad habit of being a Negative Nancy before I’m a Positive Polly, so I’m thankful for your words, as they always allow me to see a different (and healthier) perspective.
Oh, and I’m grateful for my boss who brought me a Starbucks today. It’s the little things, I tell you. Mad love.
Dude, I feel you. These posts usually put MYSELF in check.
This is wonderful….and just what I needed to hear right now!! I am grateful that I found Hello Giggles- it’s the first thing I check every morning, and it makes me feel great and puts a smile on my face each and every day
I am also grateful for my husband, my dogs, and my caramel machiato this morning….it’s been a good day!
I’m thankful for having had the chance to come across this post (as well as few others I’ve commented on today, lol) I preach this so much to others, but I, myself, sometimes need to be reminded, as well. Thank you.
I am thankful for family & friends. for music. for life. for movies. for books. for photographs. for old memories that cheer you up. for my dogs. for the clothes in my closet. for the sunshine outside. for the opportunities given to me.
oh, and hellogiggles, of course!
Id just like to say thank you for writing this. Im currently in the position where i needed to read something like this to wake me up. So thanks!
You’re the bomb. Thank you for this!
I’m grateful for the left over maltesers i left for myself from last night, this coffee, my annoying/adorable colleague who says inadvertantly hilarious things, my gorgeous housemate and being a single girl. Loving all your positive thinking posts girl, you are rad. I’m gonna print em out and put em on my bedroom wall
I love anyone who considers profound gratitude just as important as a thesaurus. You are my kind of person. Thank you for this wonderful article! I actually giggle-stalked you and read all of your articles on my phone yesterday while waiting for a doctors appointment. So today, I am grateful that I had you to entertain me during my 1.5 hour wait and turned my annoyance into smiles! Thanks
thank gawd for coffee, wine, the hubs, my job, my sisters, oh and A/C! thanks for writing this wonderful piece that reminds me –> attitude equals altitude! cheers!
I’m thankful for having come across this article. Thank you! This site is quickly becoming one of my all-time favorites.
Beautiful. I especially like your thoughts on appreciating challenges. There are many that we all have faced and will continue to face throughout life. My personal and most recent challenge was and is trying to find lessons from the loss of my father. There are many lessons that his passing has taught me. It has taken almost two years to see, and very difficult. That is just one for me. I do wish that more people would think as you have written here, but I do understand that under certain circumstances it can be very difficult to see that light.
i can’t even believe how much this article sums me up! that itself makes me thankful for my usual sunny disposition and quickness to smile. i want to share this everywhere!
i also am pretty thankful for sunshine-y summer days, good friends and iced tea.
“If you can change the way you think, you can change your world.” I often forget that the key to happiness is locked up inside my head space, and does not reside in material things. This is a great article. Thank you!
Oh, and before I forget… today, I’m grateful for: my guitar.
I am so so thankful for the timing of this article. I am also incredibly thankful for the patient and kind people that I have in my life.
I am thankful for my Texan friend, who will shortly go home after spending near two years with us in Liverpool. We are going for a meal to say goodbye as a group this evening, and I will relish the laughs and good times we all have around the table. Many thanks for your post, from the UK
I am thankful for the color of my neighbor’s flowers and my roommates puppy who can give me puppy kisses until I am laughing too hard to take it anymore.
I’m grateful for inspiration first thing in the morning and for finding yet another woman to add into my roster of role models, such as Zooey, Kat Dennings, Molly McAleer (recently),
Candice DeVille (http://www.superkawaiimama.com.au), Emily Winfield (http://theblackapple.typepad.com/), Dita and Betty.
This site is making that list expand quickly. Your silly ways are entertaining but I knew you ran deeper and its nice to see glimpses of that.
I am thankful that my mom is cancer free! 2 years and thankful for every added day! P.s. Thank you for this article very much
This article is so true! Being grateful causes you to have a better outlook, and having a better outlook causes you to be a happier person.
Thank you for posting this, Marissa. I’ve had a rough time lately – my mom diagnosed with breast cancer, drama llamas at work that leak into my personal life – but your article gave me that much needed boost. I’m grateful for HelloGiggles and everything that gets posted on here – every time I log on, it’s like having three little birds sitting by my doorstep, to put it in the words of Bob Marley…
My BFF emailed this to me this morning, so this is the first thing that I read this morning. I ended up emailing my team challenging them them to submit positive things about other team members to help spread the love. Thanks for the idea!
I’m thankful for you and your writing, which inspires me so much!
I love this post, thank you Marissa!
I’m thankful that today is my last day of work before vacation… I’m looking forward to spending a week with my family in Chicago and playing with my almost 2 year old nephew.
I’m thankful for the nap I just took because it made me more rested to see the band playing at my next door neighbors house in a couple hours. I’m thankful that my friend just text-informed me that it’s National Ice Cream day, because now she and I are going to get ice cream to celebrate. I’m thankful that my dad gave me the last piece of tri tip from breakfast this morning when I was at their house, before taking my mom to the airport, because now I don’t have to pay for dinner.
Thank you so much for this. I needed to read it today. I’m grateful that you wrote it and shared it with us all! <3
I ‘m greatful for my sanity!:-) without that I would be unable to be greatful for other things!!
I’m also greatful for positive people like yourself.. keep sharing!!
I am graetful that people like you and this post were placed infront of me to remind me that I do have a lot to be grateful for. It is so easy to forget how to be gracious and to focus on all the negatives in life. That said, I am grateful to God for letting my path cross with My husband and him having his son. Without BOTH of them, I would never be a mother. Thank you so much for posting this…it already has my wheels turning to help adjust my attitude and outlook.
I am thankful for my current living situation, with my boyfriend of three years. We have been in a long distance relationship until about a week and a half ago. I am so grateful that, finally, we are able to be together in person with no distance or time to come between us soon at all.
I’m thankful for your posts, this one in particular, because they really do help to keep perspective! I’m thankful that I began this journey some time ago, and that I am still on it, cause it definitely takes times, but it is SO worth it… I’m thankful for my dog everyday, those tiny moments mean so much! And I’m definitely thankful for my coffee moments, cause you know, that’s love!