Tune In To Gratitude

Happy Thanksgiving!

2021 was another hard year. I’m more aware than ever that what you tune in to is what you receive, whether you’re experiencing the turmoil of a seemingly unending global pandemic, or just your garden-variety bad day. So as Thanksgiving and the holiday season approach, make a conscious choice to tune in to gratitude.

Do you remember fiddling with the radio dial, trying to tune it to just the right frequency to hear your favorite songs without static? Fully experiencing gratitude is a similar experience, requiring you to home in and focus on what you want to receive, especially during challenging times.

Like any new habit, gratitude requires intentionality, commitment, and hard work. Practice these simple habits to tune in to gratitude:

Create an “Attitude of Gratitude” daily habit. A simple, regular gratitude practice works wonders for your mood and hopefulness for the future. Whether you’re thankful for small things, like autumn leaves and a hot cup of tea, or big ones, like a steady job or a loving family, we all have something to be thankful for. Find and focus on the good in your day-to-day — and throughout your life.

Say “thank you.” It may be hard to thank the universe after losing your job, catching COVID-19, or being isolated from loved ones. Instead, say “thank you” to the friend who stayed connected, the coworker who always has something positive to say, or the grocery clerk who takes extra pains when bagging your groceries. We all have kind people in our lives — and saying “thank you” helps you tune in to gratitude.

Make gratitude, not circumstances, your focus. If you’ve struggled to feel grateful in 2021, realize true gratitude isn’t just a nice feeling when circumstances are good. It’s a core element of resilience that can carry you through times of crisis. Reframing can help: Instead of reacting through a lens of regret, scarcity, or need, tune in to gratitude by putting your sightline on gifts, blessings, and abundance.

​This Thanksgiving, during the holiday season, and throughout the year, focus on your blessings, give thanks, and experience the hope and healing that come with gratitude!

With heartfelt thanks to my clients, family, and friends,

Melanie Ott