Being grateful doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Not everyone’s a Pollyanna. Remember that movie from way back? She saw the good in everything. So with Thanksgiving upon us, here are five ways to be grateful.

1. Remember

Remember what? Remember the good that’s happened before. Remember how you’ve made it through trials before. Remember that God is in control.

2. Create a Journal

This is an outworking of #1. One way to remember what’s happened is through a journal. You can write down the things you’ve gone through and how you’ve made it through. 

I used to have a daily journal, but it’s moved to more of a listing of things that have happened. I still need to be better at this.

You can use a regular composition notebook like I have, or Annie Douglass Lima has a coloring book and journal designed for this.

3. Reminders

Another outworking of #1 is to have physical items that remind you of the good times and bad.

Each morning I pick up three leather keychains. Each one has a message on them.

•  Lead me where my trust is without borders.
• And if not, he is still good.
• Forever your little girl.

Each one of these came from Realm Makers conferences in 2021, 2023, and 2024. They provide me with a physical reminder of what I learned each of those years.

The Jewish people set up what were called Standing Stones, and some think that was what Stonehenge was for. A reminder of something. 

When you have a memento or other item, it will remind you to be grateful.

4. Positive Outlook

This can be difficult, especially when chaos swirls around you. When kids are nagging at you, when they’re complaining or not listening, when health issues burden you down, it’s easy to think “woe is me.”

Instead, turn your mindset around.

• The kids are nagging–for now. 
• The kids are complaining, but it’s not forever.
• The kids will eventually listen.
• This health issue will bring me in contact with people I’d never have met before.
• This health issue gives me compassion and understanding for others in the same boat.

See how that makes a difference? Try it.

5. Say Thank You

Make it a habit to say thank you–whether verbally or in writing. We’ve gotten away from handwritten cards, but the very act of sitting down and writing can bring relief and gratitude.

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May your living spill over into thanksgiving.