Most people are familiar with asking “what am I grateful for?”

It’s been part of personal development since the beginning.

However there is a problem with this form of gratitude.

Our nervous system quickly habituates to a 'laundry list' of things we are grateful for.

Hence it can quickly become a 'tick list' response, rather than something which evokes a deep feeling of gratitude.

So what can you do to experience gratitude more often and even more intensely?

It's simple.

This is where you actively notice and feel grateful for all the people, inventions, ideas and things created that make your life and the world a better place.

Focus on thinking about all the value other people, inventions and things that exist today that you get to use, experience or own which came into existence without ANY effort from you at all.

 Imagine going through lockdown without any Internet, Netflix or Social Media?

When you shift your thinking to this perspective you begin to notice there are literally countless things, ideas, people, resources etc. that you could be grateful about.

Your brain is constantly being presented with images, smells, sounds, tastes and physical sensations you can be grateful for. 

• The clothes that keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. 

• The building you live in, that keeps you dry and away from the elements.

•  The bed you sleep in, that someone created with the intention of you having a good nights sleep.

•  The food you eat. If you knew all the effort and steps that went into creating it, starting from the sun, right the way through to it being on your dinner table you'd be amazed that this food was created and made so convenient for you.

•  The transportation you use to go about your life without a thought.

•  The medical inventions, knowledge and innovations that keep you well, save lives and allow us to live longer.

•  The computer and smartphone you use. The product of thousands of smaller inventions and hundreds of thousands of hours of hard work.

•  The Internet. [Damn amazing] Enough said.

• Instant messaging and video calling: This invention has been a life saver for many.

• Online learning: how so many people have created so many great courses and programmes for you to learn from, from the comfort of your own sofa!  

I could go on and on, but I'm sure you get the idea. 

Go about your day, practicing reflective gratitude in the morning and active gratitude during the day where you pay attention to and notice for the countless ways that your life has been made better because of the talents and efforts of others and nature.

You don't need to be a monk about it; simply giving a slice of attention every now and then will be more than enough to get the gratitude state flowing.

And when you notice some invention, person or idea that makes your life better or at least is trying to; feel a sense of gratitude.

It never had to be this way.

Appreciate it. Give thanks.

Practice these two forms of gratitude everyday and your life will feel lighter and a true blessing, no matter how much is in your bank account.

You'll feel more content.

You’ll marvel at the remarkable world you get to live in.

You may even begin experience a sense of awe, at this remarkable time we are living through.

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