How to Be More Gracious - Everyday Life Tips

We are often reminded that gratitude is the key to happiness. And yet, when it comes to gratitude, many of us fail to achieve it. Instead of feeling gratitude for what we have and what we do, many of us focus more on the things that we don't have than the things that we do have. And then, we are left trying to figure out how to be more grateful. The following tips will help you become more grateful and help you enjoy being more happy.


Focus on what you have instead of what you don't have. Many of us allow the little things that happen to us to take precedence in our lives. For instance, if you are grateful for the things you own, you may not focus on thanking God for them. If you are grateful for the health that you are in, you may not focus on appreciating your physical state. Instead of focusing on what you have, focus on the things you could have.

Focus on the people around you. Being grateful for what other people have or do is a vital step in being more happy. Even those who seem happier in their own little ways are often grateful for the company they keep or the good luck they encounter.

Be grateful for your successes and don't focus too much on what you think you would be able to accomplish. If you think you'd be a great writer, for example, don't go into a book store and purchase a book about writing. You'll be more grateful for the experience of actually sitting down and writing the book. On the same note, once you've written a book, don't look back and say that you wished you had done this or that differently. Focus on your success and how grateful you are for that fact instead.

Be grateful for your relationships. People are more likely to be happy in a relationship than in a simply business arrangement. Once you've found the right person to share your life with, be grateful for all the beautiful moments you share together. A long-term relationship can lead to deeper and more meaningful happiness. It will bring you closer and bring you more happiness.

Think about the things you have lost because of life's happenings. Can you let those things go and have faith that they will come back? Can you forgive the things you've said or done? Can you let your past dictate the path of your future?

Surround yourself with positive people who remind you of what's important to be grateful for in your life. You may not think about it while you're with them, but when you are, you'll feel better. Focus on their attitudes and how happy they make you. When you surround yourself with people who have positive energy, you will begin to be happier by nature. Eventually, things will just fall into place and life will seem a whole lot easier.

You should try to do things for other people even if they aren't particularly pleasing to you. You never know, you might pay them back later. Even doing small things like buying them flowers or candy or even helping them out of a jam is a good deed. Not only will you be happier for doing so, but you'll have lasting memories of doing so.

Another great way to be happier in life is to share your blessings. It is impossible to be a successful person if you are not sharing your good fortune. You'll soon discover that you will tend to be happier when you have accomplished something as a result of it. Tell people about the great work you did, or about the people you've helped. Don't hold back.

Be kinder to yourself than you have to be to other people. When you are self-absorbed, you will act as though they were your enemies. You can never be a very happy person, unless you learn to take time for yourself and others. Be thankful for all the things in your life, and be thankful for the people around you. You'll be happier overall.


If you find yourself in the trap of wishing your problems away, just stop. Turn your thoughts toward how you can get through them. Look for solutions, and when you can do so with a positive attitude, you will have learned how to rise above negative feelings. The truth is, you don't have to continue to suffer if you don't want to. You have everything within reach to be happy.