What Are You Grateful For Today?

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” – William Arthur Ward

How often do we gripe about the way things are in the world?

How often do we complain about bad things that have happened to us?

And how often do we lament that things in our lives should be different?

If you are anything like me, the answer is likely to be “way too often.”

The truth is, we are prone to grumble. It is easy to gravitate towards the things in our lives that we dislike. It is convenient to place our focus on our trials, obstacles and difficulties.

But how much happier could we be if we changed our focus?

What if we all tried being more grateful for the blessings that surround us? How would that change our outlook on life? And would others see a transformation take place in us?

“I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” – G.K. Chesterton

Earlier this year I had the pleasure of meeting Randy Haykin on Twitter. Randy is a venture capitalist, a professor, an entrepreneur and a super nice guy.

Randy inspired me through his #gratitude tweets that daily focus on something that he is grateful for in his life.

He has kept this practice going and I knew at some point I would like to follow his lead and do likewise.

I don’t expect anyone to do what I myself am not doing. So along with committing to losing weight and getting healthier via Project Fit, I am jumping in with both feet to Project Grateful.

“Gratitude changes the pangs of memory into a tranquil joy” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

It is my hope to post about someone, something or someplace that I am grateful for each and every day via Facebook and Twitter. I will be using the same hashtag my friend Randy used; #gratitude.

“Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.” – Brian Tracy

It’s said that being grateful for what we have has the power to transform us. Lord knows that I am a work in progress in great need of ongoing transformation. So it seems like a small price to pay (as though it were a price at all) in order to live a more fulfilling life.

“God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say “thank you?” – William A. Ward

Life is short. I accept Randy’s challenge to turn my focus towards the good and great things in my life for the purpose of walking a little more “free” each day. I will be posting my daily gratitude on my Facebook fan page and Twitter stream.

I will also be mirroring each day’s post to a blog at ProjectGrateful.com.

What about you? Will you accept the Project Grateful challenge? If so, I encourage you to post one thing that you are grateful for every day. Be sure to use hashtag #gratitude so others can easily see what you post.

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (Philippians 4:6)

What are your thoughts on gratitude? Have you been grumbling and complaining more than you offer thankfulness for what you have? Or is giving thanks a regular part of your life?

I love to hear from you, so please leave your comments below. I would be grateful if you did! 🙂