Do you want to live in the moment with a grateful heart? One which stands firm regardless of your circumstances? Sometimes we need to go back to the basics to develop a spirit of gratitude. One essential way is learning to live in the moment. Do you know how?
Living in the Moment
Before we can get to a grateful heart, we must learn how to live in the moment. Being present is not an easy task and one I struggle with from time to time. Do you?
But when we don’t live in the present seeking gratitude, we miss something extraordinary. After all, grateful people are happier people. Don’t you want to be happier?
So we must start by learning to experience the present moment, and then we can move on to gratitude.
How to Start Experiencing the Present Moment
1. Stop and Be Still
Whatever you are doing, cease right where you are.
2. Breathe in and Slowly Exhale
3. Be in the Moment
Be present to what is going on right now. Push away your thoughts of tomorrow or yesterday.
4. Look Around and Take Notice
What do you hear, see, feel, taste, or smell?
5. Capture the Moment with Gratitude
Take note of all you have to be grateful for now.
“The grateful heart is like a magnet sweeping over the day, collecting reasons for gratitude.”
—Max Lucado
How to Start Experiencing the Present Moment was previously created as a free printable in the article – “Are You Sick And Tired of Being Busy.” Click here to take you to the post.
Learning to live in the present moment is a beautiful experience, but when you add gratitude, it becomes magnificent. Share on XWill you give it a try right now? Quiet yourself and look around. What are the top five things which come to mind which bring you thoughts of gratitude?
What Gets in the Way
We all struggle with juggling the busyness of life. However, if we are not careful, it tends to crowd out the present moment. We are busy people, aren’t we?
Sometimes, we allow yesterday’s pain and the fear of what could happen to seep in and take over the present moment. These thoughts will rob us of the goodness this moment has to offer. However, not for one moment am I suggesting you hide or cover-up your pain. Click here to read “Two Things Can Be True.”
Be careful it is easy to fall away from living with a grateful heart, even for those of us who look at the glass half full. Share on XOver the last few months, I have been a little overwhelmed. It has taken me by surprise. Of course, there are more than gratitude adjustments needed. But as I worked on putting together and diligently practicing “Embracing 30 Days of Gratitude,” my focus started to change. I went from what was missing in my life to the many blessings God has given to me.
It is easy to fall back into looking at what we don’t have or what God has not done. What starts as a glance becomes where we stare. Before you know it, it’s all you see.
How to Live in the Moment with a Grateful Heart
Learning to look at life with a grateful heart takes practice. One must choose to have an attitude of gratitude. The more you practice, the more it becomes a natural way of life.
“Rather than constantly striving for more or longing for what is yet to come, a grateful heart helps us to appreciate the here and now.”
—Maree Dee
Jesus was an amazing example. He was God, but yet he still thanked His Father over and over again. Even as Jesus approached the cross, he paused to thank the Father at the Last Supper.
"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” Mark 14:22
Last night, I received news of yet another untimely death from someone I would call a colleague, mentor, and even a friend. However, I noticed a shift in attitude. Of course, the tears came, and the pain can’t be erased, but I immediately went to how grateful I am that my life intersected with hers. Even though our time spent together was short here on earth, I will forever be thankful for the wisdom I gained and the many lives she touched.
It is a firm reminder—
God is in the details of every unexpected event. Share on XA Short Prayer
Thank you, God, for the people you place in our lives. When life turns upside down, you never cease working. You know what we need and when to deliver it. Thank you for never leaving us alone.
Amen
A habit of gratitude will change the ordinary into the extraordinary. No, it won’t rid you of all pain, but it will soften the suffering and help you recognize GOD is Good all of the time. However, we must choose to be thankful and live in the moment with a grateful heart. It takes practice.
How do you practice gratitude? One of my favorite ways is joining you each November for a gratitude challenge.
Embracing 30 Days of Gratitude
Discover how unlocking the power of thankfulness can help draw you closer to God and bring more joy into your life! Our 30-day gratitude workbook includes daily gratitude prompts, scriptures/quotes, and a place to record your thoughts. Our journal will be available free in November.
I’ve upped my gratitude quotient in the past five or six years by keeping track of things I’m grateful for in a journal each day. I’ve always been moved to gratitude by beauty in the world, but now I’m branching out and expressing gratitude for people, events, and circumstances, too.
Anita – I am right there with you. Beauty in the world always brings a heart of gratitude. I like your branching out. I will have to give it a try. Maree
Thank you, Maree, for this call to gratitude for our ACTUAL life in our present circumstances, as we view it all as a gift from God’s good hand.
You are so welcome! I love turning my mind and heart toward gratitude. It never ceases to amaze me what I see. Maree
Maree, thank you for reminding me that God is in every detail of our lives – even the unexpected details. His strength and grace help me to focus and see He is at work always. Blessings!
Joanne, Isn’t it nice to know He is always at work. I too have to remind myself of it. Blessings, Maree
I’m learning the key to gratitude (for me) is remembering who God is. When I’m always looking at me or my circumstances it’s easy to get a bit grumbly. But when I look at who God is I always see the hope for gratitude!
I love what you are learning. Thank you for articulating it here. I am going to spend more time remembering who God is. Maree
Thank for sharing! Living in the moment and not passing it or wishing it by is so needed as a momma!
Johanna, Yes, I agree. The moments pass fast in motherhood. Maree
Maree,
I know these things, but Thank you for making me stop in my tracks, be still, and look around. I think you hit the nail on the head when you said we need to practice until gratitude becomes a habit. I want living with a grateful heart to be ingrained in my mental muscle memory. November is a great time to practice up. I’ve been writing 3-5 things in my journal everyday for which I am thankful. It can be a focus and attitude changer. Needed this post!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Bev, I am so glad this post helped. Yes, I too want it to be a habit all year long. Thank you for sharing. Maree
Great post! I want to continue learning to live in the moment more and more throughout my days. I love the practice run you suggested in this post. I am going to try to incorporate that in the hours of my day. Thanks so much for sharing these ideas!
Cheryl,
You are so welcome. I need them too. I went to a retreat this past weekend and they taught us how to breathe in deep. I have been practicing. It helps to stay in the moment. Maree
I’ve tried to be more intentional the past few years to stay more in the now. It’s quite a discipline for me! I’m surprised how often I find myself reminiscing about something in the past or worrying about something in the future, instead of being grateful for where the Lord has me right now. Thanks for this encouragement, Maree.
Lisa, I like that you called it a discipline. I agree! I am a work in progress too. You have reminded me at this very moment I do need to be grateful for the Lord has me. Thank you, Maree
Thanks for these reminders, Maree! I need to be reminded often to be “in the moment.” It was so nice recently to go off-the-grid for a couple of weeks and be completely in the moment with no distractions! That’s difficult to do with a laptop infront of me and cellphone in my hand. Reminders appreciated!
Pinned.
Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
Patsy, I too need lots of reminders to be in the moment. I didn’t entirely go off the grid but I only went on when I wanted and not to get things done. Only for fun. It was nice.
Thank you for sharing,
Maree
Thank you Marie for waking me up! I needed to be fully present in the moment instead of worrying about when my Nurse will sign my precription refill for my meds. It had to be hand signed not electronically signed. My oh My, things have changed in the doctor’s office about paper ptescription. Everything is done electronically but I needed the olf fashioned way of doings things. You see, my meds come from Canadian Pharmacy and they wanted it hand signed with my Nurse Practitioner signature. One thing after another and I get worried.
I need to talk to God and cast my Anxiety, worrys unto Him.
I was thinking about Camran Siddiqui who died not so long ago.
He took the time to visit you and spend time with you and he was only 22 years old when he passed away from a motorcycle accident.
Such maturity and great love he had for you and everyone he came into contact with.
Maree, you’re such a blessing to everyone. Life is really too short to be worrying and thinking about past pain and hurts.
Love,
Kayla
Kayla,
I agree life is too short to spend it worrying. But it is hard at times. Sorry for all the frustration with the prescription. It can be so frustrating.
I just received a message they added 15 GB to my phone plan and are charging me $10 more a month. I never asked for this nor want it. You message helped me to put it aside and not fret or let it get to me.
Thank you for your kind words. You blessed my day.
Maree