I have an excellent mentor who shared some tips with me to establish a morning routine and to help me get my day started right. One of those tips is reading through a grateful list. I read through it each morning before doing anything else. Here are a few morning gratitude practices you might consider to start your day right:

1. Have a grateful list - As I mentioned, a grateful list is a useful tool of mine. It gets my thinking oriented to gratefulness and reminds me that no matter the challenges in my life, I have plenty to be grateful for.
2. Spend time reflecting - I’m not as good at this one, but I think it’s important to have a certain amount of time every day to reflect and think without being distracted with an audio or computer. This is a practice that can help us ‘stop and smell the roses.’
3. Go for a walk - A good way to reflect on gratefulness is in nature. For me, nature brings a lot of peace in my mind and is a reminder that as humans we were made to be outside and appreciate the fresh air.
4. Tell someone you appreciate them - Why not practice gratitude by simply sharing or telling someone you are grateful for them. You could do this in person or through a note.
5. Say ‘I am grateful’ several times per day - It’s one thing to think it but words have power and it’s good for our ears to hear we are grateful. Heard and practiced often enough, we become grateful people.

All of these practices will continue to be opportunities for my personal growth. I have heard it said that you can’t be grateful and frustrated at the same time.