The month of November is one of the key times of the year to name and acknowledge what we are thankful for. The other day I was driving my granddaughter home from her ice skating lesson and I asked her what she is thankful for since Thanksgiving is nearly upon us.
She said:”I am thankful for my little brother, even though he is a pain some times. I am thankful for my ice skating coach even though she calls me names like ‘monkeybutt,’ ‘Fred,’ and ‘you with the face.’ I am thankful for my teacher because she makes learning so much fun while challenging me further.”
I think a spirit of gratitude is important, so I will share what I am grateful for, and I invite all of you who read this to do the same.
I am thankful for my 1440 minutes each day. Every day I am given an opportunity to tell my loved ones that I love them, to do something special for those in my life, to give someone a gift of my choosing, to be a confidant to a friend, and in some small way make the world around me a better place.
I am also thankful that I have the opportunity to choose my thoughts, to feel positive and look at the glass half full and to focus on what I have, rather than on what I do not have.
One of the key tips for a happy marriage mentioned by couples who have enjoyed a long and happy marriage is to be grateful. Grateful for the little things in life. Grateful for the big things. And of course, grateful for each other.
Tips for a Happy Marriage: Why Gratitude Matters
Having a grateful heart affects us every bit as much as those we express our gratitude to – maybe even more. In acknowledging the blessings we have received, we become more open to receive even greater blessings.
By expressing the things you are grateful for in your marriage and about your spouse, two things happen. The first is a purely natural human reaction. When someone appreciates something we have done – we’re more likely to repeat that action.
When considering tips for a happy marriage, consider this: Cultivating a spirit of gratitude also changes you. It helps you continue looking for the good in your spouse. It helps you to overlook any minor annoyances that, in the big picture, don’t really matter that much. Being grateful for your spouse helps you to continue seeing him or her as a real person, deserving of your tenderness and affection. And in times where the flames of romance have cooled, the warmth of gratitude, practiced on a regular basis, can help bring the romance back to life again.
As you look at your spouse or significant other this week tell him or her what you are thankful for. Focus on all of things that he or she does to make your life a bit brighter each day, and share them with your spouse. Building a habit of gratitude is one way to have an enduring marriage – the gift of a lifetime.