Gratitude is one of the highest vibrations we can feel. Perhaps you spend some time thinking about all the things you’re grateful for, and this is a good practice. It tells the Universe to bring you more of what you’re grateful for.
But in addition to feeling gratitude, it’s also wonderful to show gratitude. I’m not talking about going around and thanking your friends and family for something they’ve done for you recently. We’re going to go a little deeper.
Sit down with someone you love and care about and say, “Sometimes life gets busy, hectic or crazy, and I want to make sure you know how much I appreciate having you in my life. Can you think back over the last couple of months and tell me if there’s anything you’ve done for me that I didn’t notice or didn’t see?”
Then stop talking and just listen.
Maybe they’ll say something like, “Actually if you remember that one day back in January when you were going straight from work to a doctor’s appointment and then you had to help your dad shovel snow at his house, what you may not have noticed because you were really busy is that our son got sick at school that day and I left work to go pick him up, and took care of him at home. I cooked up a batch of chicken noodle soup, fed the dogs and walked them, shoveled our own driveway, did your laundry, and cancelled my evening Mastermind meeting because you weren’t home yet.”
When they are done telling you what they did, acknowledge it and give them appreciation.
“Honey, I had no idea you did all of that. I do remember wondering how you found time to do my laundry that night and I’m remembering now that I never thanked you, but I didn’t realize you cancelled a meeting and that you left work to do all of that. Thank you for taking care of all of that so I could go to my appointment and help my father. I really appreciate that you took care of so much and I’m sorry I didn’t acknowledge it at the time.”
See what happens to your relationship when your friends and family feel heard and understood. It can be transformative.
