Cultivating Gratitude Enriches Your Life!
A Self Esteem Exercise

By cultivating gratitude, you begin a cycle that actually attracts healthy self esteem, a positive attitude and good things into your life. No matter who you are, what circumstances you are facing, or how overwhelming life may seem at times, there are always reasons to be thankful. When you live your life with an attitude of thankfulness, you begin to see yourself and the world in a different light.

When you acknowledge What Is Right In My Life, you experience greater joy, confidence, and trust in your ability to successfully meet and deal with the challenges of life. Problems do not seem as overwhelming when you take a few moments each day to count your blessings and appreciate those who enrich your lives.

Begin cultivating gratitude by making a gratitude list and read it regularly as a reminder to be thankful everyday. Research has shown that people who practice gratitude everyday are healthier and happier.

Directions for Using a Gratitude List

• Get started by picking items from our list, below, that reflect what you are grateful for or create your own list.
  
  
• Read your list aloud, slowly and actually feeling grateful.
  
  
• Notice how you feel, when you make the time for cultivating gratitude. For example, when I focus on the items on my gratitude list my energy changes. My mind slows down, my breath deepens, my self esteem is enhanced and I embody a positive attitude. I connect to my heart-centered essence feeling calm, peaceful and relaxed.

A daily practice of cultivating gratitude, can transform your thoughts and as a result enrich your life.

I am grateful for….

• A roof over my head. I am thankful that I have a home to live in and a safe place to lay my head at night.

• Clothing. I am grateful that I have clothes to keep me warm and dry, and shoes to protect my feet. I am thankful that I have several outfits to choose from so I can feel comfortable, confident, and beautiful.

• Transportation. I am thankful that I have a car so I can drive to work, the mall, or visit a friend.

• Television. I am thankful that I have a television so I can watch shows that make me laugh, cry, or keep me informed.

• My Computer. I am thankful that I have access to a computer to help me work, learn and play.

• Friends and community. I am thankful for the groups of people I am connected with, the clubs I participate in and the charities I am able to serve.

• Food. I am grateful that I have good and healthy food to eat and safe water to drink.

• Freedom. I am thankful that I am alive and live in a free country.

• My dreams. I am thankful that I have the freedom to dream and to pursue those dreams

• My skills and talents. I am thankful that I have the skills I need to read, write, and do the work I choose.

• The opportunity to give. I am proud of the contributions I make to the lives of those around me.

• My Parents. I am thankful for the parents who raised me and encouraged me.

• My Siblings. I am thankful for brothers and sisters who are friends as well as siblings.

• My spouse/partner. I am thankful that I have a partner who loves me.

• Friends. I am thankful for the friends who make me laugh and are always there whenever I need them, to support and encourage me.

• My work. I am thankful I have a job and a good working relationship with my colleagues.

• My Pet. I am thankful for my dog ,who always is excited to see me and makes me laugh

• I am grateful for those little things that I often take for granted, including:

  - A breathtaking sunset

  - My child’s laughter

  - A mountaintop view

  - Feeling the wind on my face and the warmth of the sun

  - A rainbow

A gratitude list is the perfect way to begin cultivating gratitude in your life. Read it daily and add to it regularly. Soon, being thankful will come naturally, and you will begin to enjoy all the benefits of a life governed by gratitude.

Try another gratitude activity - Use our Gratitude Journal Worksheet.

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For more Self Esteem Exercises see our Self Esteem Activities.