Life Hack: How to be Thankful

When you’re not feeling it.

Thanksgiving is a time when many of us celebrate the abundance of the Earth and the love of family and friends.

For some, however, the holiday may be a struggle. Perhaps financial stresses, a family illness, a breakup, or the loss of a loved one has made it harder to adopt an “attitude of gratitude.”

And then, guilt may set in with a thought like this: “So much starvation and disease in the world, yet I’m sad about my own trivial First World problems? I ought to feel grateful, but I’m not. What’s wrong with me?”

One frequent piece of advice is to make a daily habit is to sit down and write all the things one is grateful for. That’s great, but I’m not giving that advice. I won’t fault you because you didn’t find the time, because you hit the snooze button instead. Or if you find it insincere, forced, or repetitive.You write down you’re “grateful” for your car, but you actually want a new car, indicating the car you have is somehow inadequate.

“Counting your blessings” might, in that way, be a form of “forced positivity” that only reminds you of what you still don’t have.

Well, I say it’s good to want more. And if you’re sad because of what you lack, and don’t feel like forcing yourself into gratitude, I say, don’t even try. You don’t need to count your blessings to feel good. Sometimes it’s best not to think at all.