Do current events have you feeling down? We’re constantly being barraged with news that isn’t positive, so it’s easy for us to focus on the negative, what we don’t have, the one negative comment we got versus the seven positive ones, and what’s wrong instead of what’s right in our lives and in the world.

I’ve been consciously trying to focus more on the good things in my life, and it’s made a big difference in my mood and overall sense of well-being. With a little effort toward showing gratitude, I’ve found that I can change my attitude—and feel more positive and much happier.

There are many ways that you can practice gratitude. I recently downloaded the Gratitude app on my phone and did the “7 Day Gratitude Challenge.” It gives examples and prompts to help you focus on specific things, and you can set reminders so you don’t forget to show your gratitude every day. If you prefer pen and paper, you can get start your own gratitude journal and list something you’re thankful for each day. It can be as simple as the sunshine, laughter, family, friends, pets, or freedom.

I also recently wrote a gratitude letter. This is an easy practice to incorporate into your routine that can have a huge impact on both the writer and the recipient. If you remember the times you received a note of appreciation for something you did, you know it can be very meaningful. Sometimes it may be just what the person needed to hear. For example, my neighbor told me that a friend of her son’s sent her a text to thank her for putting together an outside socially distant get-together. “It was a lot of work,” she said, “but when you get a text like this from one of your son’s friends, it’s all worth it!” That simple acknowledgment made her day. I recently sent an email to my daughter’s teacher. It was a win-win: it made me feel great to send him a note of thanks, and it made him feel good to know that he made a positive impact. 

Showing gratitude is also a great practice for the workplace. There’s research and evidence that shows that gratitude in the workplace improves productivity and employee engagement. People who receive recognition are more likely to have greater pride in their work.

I hope that you’ll start focusing on things that bring you joy, and you realize that you have many things to be thankful for. As Dale Carnegie said, “Let’s fill our minds with thoughts of peace, courage, health, and hope, for our life is what our thoughts make it.”

What are LMDers grateful for?

Kristen: My family is healthy, my kids are doing well, Steven and I have good jobs that allow us to work remotely, good friends who help me stay sane, my pets, and my wonderful co-workers! 

Holly: I am grateful for the sun. Vitamin D warms my soul!

De'Andre: I'm grateful for the health and safety of my friends around the world. I'm also thankful to work with such creative individuals and for an agency where I feel my values are appreciated and I can truly be who I am without judgment.

Dan: I am thankful for every day I get to be with my wife and my kids, the opportunity to do work that clients love, and to be able to teach kids how to win and lose on and off the field with grace and humility.

Dean: I'm thankful that my friends and family are keeping safe by scaling down their Thanksgiving.

Jason: Working from home giving me extra time and connection to my family. Working from home has been efficient, rewarding, and no commute frees up more time. Plus now EVERYONE knows how to video conference, so the ability to meet virtually is just a given now!

Monica: I am also grateful for the ability to work from home full time. The time spent around my family, even if just sitting near each other and working separately, has been such a blessing!

Krista: Besides the obvious of having more time to spend with family, I am grateful for these materialistic things…leggings for comfort, at-home ellipticals for sweating off the stress of the day, and the Roving Radish meal kits for super easy dinner solutions.