Do you remember the ’90s TV show “Touched by an Angel”? Yesterday I was paging through Ladies’ Home Journal and read this quote from the show’s star, Irish actress Roma Downey:
“When my first foot hits the floor I say ‘thank’ and when my second foot hits I say ‘you.’ Then I say ‘thank you’ all the way to the bathroom. A grateful heart is the key to happiness.”
I love that. Simple, but direct.
I remembered the ritual this morning when I woke up and decided to give it a try. Sit up…left foot into slipper…“Thank”…right foot into slipper…“you”…stand up…start walking…“thank…you…thank…you…thank….you…thank…you.” Arrive in bathroom.
You know, I liked it. Maybe it’s a bit like tuning the radio to a channel playing really good music.
This gratitude ritual might be one I can stick with. I know being grateful is important and I love the idea of making it an official part of my day. But to be honest, adding “keep a gratitude journal” to my already overwhelming to-do list makes me feel, well, not very grateful.
I’ll have to work out some kinks―do you say “thank you” in time with your footsteps even though that makes it feel like a bit of a goose step? Or just kind of let the words flow on their own? Or maybe don’t think about it too much?
Do you have a favorite gratitude ritual? If so, have you noticed any changes in your attitude or your life when you practice it regularly?
I try and record something I’m thankful for each day in my exercise journal. It helps me be consistent about gratitude as well as remember that exercise is just one piece of the puzzle for living well.
An exercise journal! I’m intrigued…tying exercise to gratitude seems like a great idea.
I love this, too! I agree that a gratitude journal can sometimes be a daunting task–though the intention is good, it’s just another thing to add to the day. I have started a gratitude tea ritual. Whenever I make a cup of tea in the afternoon (which is often!) I dedicate it to something that I’m grateful for that day. It’s not hard to remember, and makes me happier.
Hi, Tracy! Thank you for the comment. I like the idea of connecting a moment of gratitude to the rituals I already have in place!