One of the best ways to enjoy life is by thanking your way to happiness.
Here’s how to do it and why it matters.
Why It Matters
We don’t judge how good our life is on its own. We do it comparatively.
For instance, if you are living an average life then spend a week in a fancy vacation rental, you will feel like that week is luxurious and exciting. If, however, you have great wealth and live extravagantly, that rental will probably seem paltry and even disgusting.
We don’t determine our enjoyment in a box. We base it on how it compares to a standard we set, and that comparison can make it easy for you to start thanking your way to happiness.
Seeing Your Good Fortune
After all, have you ever stopped to think about what our ancestors used to have to do? Can you imagine having to go to an outhouse in the dead of winter? What would it be like to have to get fresh water every day at the nearest source and carry it home?
Think about the device you are reading this on. If it’s a phone, twenty years ago, there was no such thing. Thirty years ago, the Internet was something that was mostly just talked about, not used. Forty years ago the personal computer was just getting started, expensive, and mostly for hobbyists.
Life is by no means perfect, but seeing how fortunate we are is the start of thanking your way to happiness. Here’s how you can do it.
How to Do It
If you want to experience more joy in your day, simply find five things to be thankful for each morning. Supercharge your bedtime by thinking of five things to be thankful for again each night.
Dig deep and be creative. As you really start to consider all the things you have to be thankful for focus on these categories:
- Bedrock Items: Those things that are the most important, like family and relationships.
- Your Fortune: Not everyone has the things you have. Appreciate those things.
- Time Improvements: What do you have that you wouldn’t have had 500 years ago?
- Silver Linings: Is something bothering you? See if you can find the hidden benefit it has.
A lot of enjoyment in life is about perspective. Thanking your way to happiness can improve your perspective and make life that much more worth living.
